The Willoughby Captains

By Talbot Baines Reed________________________________________________________________________This is one of this author's famous school stories. Like a new boy orgirl at a school, you will be faced with learning the names of a greatmany youngsters, and to an extent, their characters. However, by thetime you get half-way through the book you will be familiar enough withthe principal characters. 

Of course, there are numerous small dramas being acted out as the bookproceeds, but the main one concerns a boat-race between two of theHouses. Along the course there is a very tight bend. The boat on theoutside of the bend is slightly in the lead but will probably lose thisdue to the inside boat having less far to travel to the next straight. 

At a most crucial moment, when maximum power is being exerted by the coxon the rudder-lines, one of them snaps, and the boat goes out ofcontrol. The cox shouts the instructions for an emergency stop, and toback water. The other boat proceeds to the end of the course. It cannow be seen that the rudder-line had been deliberately half cut through, so that it would snap at that tight bend on the river. 

For the rest of the book people are trying to work out who had done thisdeed. At one stage we think we know the answer. We become quiteconvinced we know the answer, in fact. But we are wrong, and we do notfind out till almost the end of the book. And it is to be hoped that atthat point the promised re-row takes place. 

There is some confusion with names in respect of Merrison and Morrison, but I suspect that to be a printer's error. It is not of greatimportance, since he is (or they are) not front-line characters in theaction. 

The punctuation becomes very difficult in the reporting of theproceedings of the school parliament, because not only do you have thecurrent speaker, but interspersed with it are comments by the raconteurand by the noisier of the boys. The printed book settled for asimplified version here, but we have done our best to give you aversion that is more according to rule. ________________________________________________________________________THE WILLOUGHBY CAPTAINS

BY TALBOT BAINES REED

CHAPTER ONE. 

THE LAST OF THE OLD CAPTAIN. 

Something unusual is happening at Willoughby. The Union Jack floatsproudly over the old ivy-covered tower of the school, the schoolroomsare deserted, there is a band playing somewhere, a double row ofcarriages is drawn up round the large meadow (familiarly called "TheBig"), old Mrs Gallop, the orange and sherbert woman, is almost besideherself with business flurry, and boys are going hither and thither, some of them in white ducks with favours on their sleeves, and others intheir Sunday "tiles, " with sisters and cousins and aunts in tow, whosepresence adds greatly to the brightness of the scene. 

Among these last-named holiday-making young Willoughbites no one paradesmore triumphantly to-day than Master Cusack, of Welch's House, by theside of his father, Captain Cusack, R. N. Cusack, ever since he came toWilloughby, has bored friend and foe with endless references to "thegov. , captain in the R. N. , you know, " and now that he really has achance of showing off his parent in the flesh his small head is nearlyturned. He puffs along like a small steam-tug with a glorious man-of-war in tow, and is too anxious to exhibit his prize in "The Big" to doeven the ordinary honours of the place to his relative. 

Captain Cusack, R. N. , the meekest and most amiable of men, resignshimself pleasantly to the will of his dutiful conductor, only toopleased to see the boy so happy, and pardonably gratified to know thathe himself is the special object of that young gentleman's jubilation. He had come down, hoping for a quiet hour or two to see his boy andinspect Willoughby, but he finds that, instead, he is to be inspectedhimself, and, though he wouldn't thwart the lad for the world, he wouldjust as soon have dropped in at Willoughby on a rather less publicoccasion. 

Young Cusack, as is the manner of small tugs, assumes complete controlof his parent and rattles away incessantly as he conducts him throughthe grounds, past the school, towards the all-attracting "Big. "

"That's Welch's, " he says, pointing to the right wing of the long Tudorbuilding before them--"that's Welch's on the right, and Parrett's in themiddle, and the schoolhouse on the left. Jolly rooks' nests in theschoolhouse elms, only Paddy won't let us go after them. "

"Who is Paddy?" inquires the father. 

"Oh, the doctor, you know--Dr Patrick. You'll see him down in `TheBig, ' and his dame, and--"

"And what's written up over the door there?" inquires Captain Cusack, pointing up to the coat-of-arms above the great doorway. 

"Oh, some Latin bosh! I don't know. I say, we'd better look sharp, father, or they'll have started the open hurdles. "

"What are the open hurdles?" mildly inquires the somewhat perplexedcaptain, who has been at sea so long that he is really not up to all themodern phrases. 

"Why, you know, it's the sports, and there are two open events, thehurdles and the mile, and we've got Rawson, of the London Athletic, downagainst us in both; but I rather back Wyndham. He made stunning time inthe March gallops, and he's in prime form now. "

"Is Wyndham a Willoughby boy?"

"Rather. He's our cock, you know, and this will be his last show-up. Hullo! you fellows, " he cries, as two other small boys approach at atrot; "what's on? Have the hurdles started? By the way, this is myfather, you know; he came down. "

The two small boys, who are arrayed in ducks and running-shoes, shakehands rather sheepishly with the imposing visitor and look shyly up anddown. 

"And are you running in any of the races, my men?" says Captain Cusack, kindly. 

He couldn't have hit on a happier topic. The two are at their ease atonce. 

"Yes, sir, the junior hundred yards. I say, Cusack, your gov--yourfather's just in time for the final heat. In the first I had a deadheat with Watkins, you know, " continues he, addressing the captain. "Watkins was scratch, and I had five yards, and the ruck got ten. Itwas a beastly shame giving Filbert ten, though--wasn't it, Telson?--after his running second to me in the March gallops; they ought to havestuck him where I was. But I ran him down all the same, and dead-heatedit with Watkins, and Telson here was a good second in his heat. "

"I was sure of a first, but that young ass Wace fouled me, " puts inTelson. 

"And now it's dead-even which of us two wins. We both get five yards onWatkins, and he'll be pumped with the long jump, and none of the othersare hot men, so it's pretty well between us two, isn't it, Telson?"

"Rather, and I think I back you to do it, Parson, old man, " rejoins thegenerous Telson. 

"Oh, I don't know, " says Parson, dubiously; "you're a better man on thefinish, I fancy. "

"All depends on how I take off. Gully's such a boshy starter, you know;always puts me out. Why can't they let Parrett do it?"

And off they rattle, forgetting all about Cusack and his gallant father, and evidently convinced in their own minds that the flags and thecarriages and the rosettes and all the festivities are solely in honourof the final heat of the junior hundred yards, in which they two are totake part. 

Captain Cusack, with a smile on his face, watches them trot off, andasks his son, "Who are those two nice young fellows?"

"Oh, a couple of kids--not in our house, " replies Master Cusack, by nomeans cordially. "Jolly cheek of them talking to you like that, though!"

"Not at all, " says the captain. "I'd like to see their race, Harry. "

But Harry has no notion of throwing his father away upon the "juniorhundred yards, " and as they are now in "The Big, " in the midst of thefestive assembly there congregated, he is easily able to shirk thequestion. 

An important event is evidently just over. The company has crowded intothe enclosure, and boys, ladies, gentlemen, masters are all mixed up inone great throng through which it is almost impossible for even sodexterous a tug as young Cusack to pilot his worthy relative. 

The band is playing in the pavilion, distant cheers are audible in thedirection of the tents, a shrill uproar is going on in the corner wherethe junior hundred yards is about to begin, and all around them is sucha buzz of talking and laughing that Captain Cusack is fairly bewildered. 

He would like to be allowed to pay his respects to the Doctor and MrsPatrick, and to his boy's master, and would very much like to witnessthe exploits of those two redoubtable chums Telson and Parson; but he isnot his own master, and has to do what he is told. Young Cusack isshouting every minute to acquaintances in the crowd that he has got hisfather here. But every one is so wedged up that the introductionschiefly consist of a friendly nodding and waving of the hand at thecrowd indefinitely from the gallant father, who would not for the worldbe anything but gracious to his son's friends, but who cannot for thelife of him tell which of the score of youthful faces darting sidelongglances in their direction is the particular one he is meant to besaluting. At last in the press they stumble upon one boy at closequarters, whom Cusack the younger captures forthwith. 

"Ah, Pil, I was looking for you. Here's the--my father, I mean--R. N. , you know. "

"How are you, captain?" says the newcomer. He had heard Captain Cusackwas coming over, and had mentally rehearsed several times what it seemedto him would be the most appropriate salutation under the circumstances. 

The captain says he is very well, and likes the look of Mr "Pil" (whosereal name is Pilbury), and looks forward to a little pleasant chat withhis son's friend. But this hope is doomed to be a disappointment, forPil is in a hurry. 

"Just going to get the house tubs ready, " he says; "I'll be back in timefor the mile. "

"Then is the hurdles over?"

"Rather!" exclaims Pil, in astonishment. "Why, where have you been? Ofcourse you know who won?"

"No, " says Cusack, eagerly--"who?"

"Why, Wyndham! You never saw such a race! At the fourth hurdle fromhome Wyndham, Bloomfield, Game, Tipper, and Rawson were the only onesleft in. Game and Tipper muffed the jump, and it was left to the otherthree. Bloomfield had cut out grandly. He was a yard or two ahead, then Wyndham, and the London man lying out, ten yards behind. He hadbeen going pretty easily, but he lammed it on for the next hurdle, andpulled up close. The three went over almost even, and then Bloomfieldwas out of it. My eye, Cusack! you should have seen the finish afterthat! The London fellow fancied he was going to win in a canter, butold Wyndham stuck to him like a leech, and after the last fence ran himclean down--the finest thing you ever saw--and won by a yard. Wasn't itprime? Ta, ta! I'm off now; see you again at the mile;" and off hegoes. 

The glorious victory of Willoughby at the hurdles has evidently been asmuch of a surprise as it has been a triumph, and everyone is full ofhope now that the result of the "mile" may be equally satisfactory. Inthe midst of all the excitement and enthusiasm it suddenly occurs to thebusiness-like Master Cusack that he had better secure a good positionfor the great race without delay, and accordingly he pilots his fatherout of the crush, and makes for a spot near the winning-post, where thecrowd at the cords has a few gaps; and here, by a little unscrupulousshoving, he contrives to wedge himself in, with his father close behind, at about the very best spot on the course, with a full view of the lasttwo hundred yards, and only a few feet from the finish. 

It is half an hour before the race is due, and, by way of beguiling thetime, Cusack shouts to one and another of his acquaintances opposite, and introduces his father to the crowd generally. The course has notyet been cleared, so there is plenty of variety as the stream ofpassers-by drifts along. Among the last, looking about anxiously for aplace to stand and watch the big race, are Telson and Parson, arm-in-arm. 

Captain Cusack hails them cheerily. 

"Well, who won, my boys? who won?"

The dejected countenances of the two heroes is answer enough. 

"Watkins won, " says Parson, speaking in a subdued voice. "The fact is, my shoe-lace came undone just when I was putting it on at the end. "

"And the swindle is, " puts in Telson, "that just as I was spurting forthe last twenty yards Watkins took my water. I could have fouled him, you know, but I didn't care to. "

"Fact is, " says Parson, insinuating himself under the cords, greatly tothe indignation of some other small boys near, "it's a chowse lettingWatkins enter for the juniors. I'm certain he's not under thirteen--ishe, Telson?"

"Not a bit of him!" says Telson, who has also artfully squeezed himselfinto the front rank hard by; "besides, he's a Limpet, and Limpets haveno right to run as juniors. "

"What is a Limpet?" asks Captain Cusack of his son. 

"I don't know what else you call him, " says young Cusack, rathersurlily, for he is very wroth at the way Telson has sneaked himself intoa rather better position than his own; "he's--he's a Limpet, you know. "

"Limpets, " says a gentleman near, "are the boys in the middle school. "

"Rather a peculiar name, " suggests the captain. 

"Yes; it means an inhabitant of Limbo, the Willoughby name for themiddle school, because the boys there are supposed to be too old to haveto fag, and too young to be allowed to have fags. "

"Ha, ha!" laughs Captain Cusack, "a capital name;" and he and thegentleman get up a conversation about their own school days whichbeguiles the time till the bell sounds for the great race of the day. 

The starting-point is a little below where our friends are standing, andthe race is just three times round the course and a few yards at the endup to the winning-post. Only four runners are starting, three of whomhave already distinguished themselves in the hurdle-race. Wyndham, theschool captain, is that tall, handsome fellow with the red stripe infront of his jersey, who occupies the inside "berth" on the starting-line. Next to him is Ashley; also wearing the school stripe; andbetween Ashley and the other schoolboy, Bloomfield, is Rawson, thedreaded Londoner, a practised athlete, whose whiskered face contrastsstrangely with the smooth, youthful countenances of his competitors. 

"Ashley's to cut out the running for Willoughby this time, " says Telson, "and he'll do it too; he's fresh. "

So he is. At the signal to start he rushes off as if the race was aquarter of a mile instead of a mile, and the Londoner, perplexed by histactics, starts hard also, intending to keep him in hand. Bloomfieldand Wyndham, one on each side of the track, began rather more easily, and during the first lap allow themselves to drop twelve or fifteenyards behind. The Londoner quickly takes in the situation, butevidently doesn't quite know whether to keep up to Ashley or lie up likethe others. If he does the latter, the chances are the fresh man mayget ahead beyond catching, and possibly win the race; and if he does theformer--well, has he the wind to hold out when the other two begin to"put it on"? He thinks he has, so he keeps close up to Ashley. 

The cheers, of course, all round the field are tremendous, and nowheremore exciting than where Telson and Parson are located. As the runnerspass them at the end of the first lap the excitement of these youthsbreaks forth into terrific shouts. 

"Well run, Ashley; keep it up! He's blowing! Put it on there, Wyndham;now's your time, Bloomfield!" And before the cries have left their lipsthe procession has passed, and the second lap has begun. 

Towards the end of the second lap Ashley shows signs of flagging, andBloomfield is quickening his pace. 

"Huzza!" yells Parson; "Bloomfield's going to take it up now. Jollywell-planned cut-out, eh, Telson?"

"Rather!" shrieks Telson. "Here they come! Whiskers is ahead. Now, Willoughby--well run indeed! Lam it on, Bloomfield, you're gaining. Keep it up, Ashley. Now, Wyndham; now!"

Ashley drops gradually to the rear, and before the final lap is halfover has retired from the race, covered with glory for his useful pieceof work. But anxious eyes are turned to the other three. The Londonerholds his own, and Bloomfield's rush up seems to have come to nothing. About a quarter of a mile from home an ominous silence drops upon thecrowd, and for a few moments Willoughby is too disheartened to cheer. Then at last there rises a single wild cheer somewhere. What is it?The positions are still the same, and-- No! _Both_ Wyndham andBloomfield are gaining; and as the discovery is made there goes up sucha shout that the rooks in the elms start away from their nests in apanic. 

Never was seen such a gallant spurt in that old meadow. Foot by footthe two Willoughby boys pull up and lessen the hateful distance whichdivides them from the leader. He of course sees his danger, and answersspurt for spurt. For a few yards he neither gains nor loses, then, joyful sight, he loses!

"Look at them now!" cries Telson, as they approach--"look at them both. They're both going to win! Ah, well run, Willoughby--splendidly run;you're going like mad--keep it up! Huzzah! level. Keep it up!Wyndham's ahead; so's Bloomfield. Both ahead! Well run both. Keep itup now. Hurrah!"

Amid such shouts the race ends. Wyndham first, Bloomfield a yardbehind, and the Londoner, dead beat, a yard behind Bloomfield. 

What wonder if the old school goes mad as it swarms over the cords anddashes towards the winner? Telson actually forgets Parson, Cusackdeserts even his own father in the jubilation of the moment, eachstriving to get within cheering distance of the heroes of the day asthey are carried shoulder-high round the ground amid the shouts andapplause of the whole multitude. 

So ended, in a victory unparalleled in its glorious annals, the May Dayraces of 19-- at Willoughby; and there was not a fellow in the school, whether athlete or not, whose bosom did not glow with pride at theresult. That the school would not disgrace herself everyone had beenperfectly certain, for was not Willoughby one of the crack athleticschools of the country, boasting of an endless succession of finerunners, and rowers, and cricketers? But to score thus off a pickedLondon athlete, beating him in two events, and in one of them doublybeating him, was a triumph only a very few had dared to anticipate, andeven they were considerably astonished to find their prophecy come true. 

Perhaps the person least excited by the entire day's events was the heroof the day himself. Wyndham, the old captain, as he now was--for thiswas his last appearance at the old school--was not the sort of fellow toget his head turned by anything if he could help it. He hated scenes ofany sort, and therefore took a specially long time over his bath, whichhis fag had prepared for him with the most lavish care. Boys waylaidhis door and the schoolhouse gate for a full hour ready to cheer himwhen he came out; but he knew better than to gratify them and finallythey went off and lionised Bloomfield instead, who bore his laurels withrather less indifference. 

The old captain, however, could not wholly elude the honours destinedfor him. Dinner in the big hall that afternoon was crowded tooverflowing. And when at its close the doctor stood up and, inaccordance with immemorial custom, proposed the health of the oldcaptain, who, he said, was not only head classic, but _facile princeps_in all the manly sports for which Willoughby was famed, you would havethought the old roof was coming down with the applause. Poor Wyndhamwould fain have shirked his duty, had he been allowed to do it. ButWilloughby would as soon have given up a week of the summer holiday ashave gone without the captain's speech. 

As he rose to his feet deafening cries of "Well run, sir; well run!"drowned any effort he could have made at speaking; and he had to standtill, by dint of sheer threats of violence, the monitors had reduced thecompany to order. Then he said, cheers interrupting him at every thirdword, "I'm much obliged to the doctor for speaking so kindly about me. You fellows know the old school will get on very well after I've gone. (No! no!) Willoughby always does get on, and any one who says, `No!no!' ought to know better. "

The applause at this point was overpowering; and the few guilty onestried hard, by joining in it, to cover their shame. 

"I've had a jolly time here, and am proud of being a Willoughby captain. I shouldn't be a bit proud if I didn't think it was the finest schoolgoing. And the reason it's the finest school is because the fellowsthink first of the school and next of themselves. As long as they dothat Willoughby will be what she is now. Thank you, doctor, and you, fellows. "

These were the last words of the old captain. He left Willoughby nextday, and few of the boys knew what they had lost till he had gone. 

How he was missed, and how these parting words of his came often to ringin the ears of the old school during the months that were to follow, this story will show. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

FOUR HOURS IN A FAG'S LIFE. 

Willoughby wore its ordinary work-a-day look on the morning followingthe eventful May races. And yet any one who had seen the old schooljust then would have admitted that a more picturesque place could hardlyhave been found. It was one of those lovely early summer days wheneverything looks beautiful, and when only schoolboys can have the heartto lie in bed. The fresh scent of the sea came up with the morning airacross the cliff-bound uplands; and far away, from headland to headlandof Craydle Bay, the waters glowed and sparkled in the sunlight. Inland, too, along by the river, the woods were musical with newly-awakenedbirds, and the downs waved softly with early hay. And towering aboveall, amid its stately elms, and clad from end to end with ivy, stood theold school itself, glowing in morning brightness, as it had stood fortwo centuries past, and as those who know and love it hope it may yetstand for centuries to come. 

But though any one else could hardly have failed to be impressed withthe loveliness of such a morning in such a spot, on Master FrederickParson, head monitor's fag of Parrett's House, as he kicked thebedclothes pensively off his person, and looked at the watch under hispillow, the beauties of nature were completely lost. Parson was in abad frame of mind that morning. Everything seemed against him. He'dbeen beaten in the junior hundred yards yesterday, so had Telson. Justtheir luck. They'd run in every race for the last two years, and neverwon so much as a shilling penknife yet. More than that; just because hehad walked across the quadrangle to see Telson home after supper lastnight (Telson belonged to the SchoolHouse) he had been caught by amonitor and given eight French verbs to write out for being out-of-doors, after lock-up. What harm, Parson would like to know, was therein seeing a friend across the quad? Coates, the monitor, probably hadno friend--he didn't deserve to have one--or he wouldn't have been downon Parson for a thing like that. 

Then, further than that, he (Parson) had not looked at his Caesar, andWarton had promised to report him to the doctor next time he showed upwithout preparation. Bother Warton! bother the doctor! bother Caesar!what did they all want to conspire together for against a wretchedjunior's peace? He'd have to cram up the Caesar from Telson's cribsomehow, only the nuisance was Bloomfield had fixed on this particularmorning for a turn on the river with Game, and Parson would of coursehave to steer for them. Just his luck again! He didn't mind steeringfor Bloomfield, of course, and if he must fag he'd as soon fag for himas anybody, especially now that he would be captain of the eleven and ofthe boats; but how, Parson wanted to know, was he to do his Caesar andhis French verbs, and steer Bloomfield and Game up the river at one andthe same time? He couldn't take the books in the boat. 

Well, he supposed he'd have to get reported; and probably "Paddy" wouldgive it him on the hands. He was always getting it on the hands, faroftener than Telson, who was Riddell's fag, and never had to go andsteer boats up the river. In fact, Riddell, he knew, looked overTelson's lessons for him--catch Bloomfield doing as much for Parson!

All these considerations tended greatly to impair the temper of MasterParson this beautiful morning. But the worst grievance of all was thathe had to get up that moment and call Bloomfield, or else he'd get alicking. That would be worse any day than getting it on the hands fromthe doctor. 

So he kicked off the clothes surlily, and put one foot out of bed. Butthe other was a long time following. For Parson was fagged. He'ddreamt all night of that wretched hundred yards, and wasn't a bitrefreshed; and if he had been refreshed, he'd got those eight Frenchverbs and the Caesar on his mind, and he could have done themcomfortably in bed. But--

A sudden glance at the watch in his hand cut short all furthermeditation. Parson is out of his bed and into his flannels in thetwinkling of an eye, and scuttling down the passage to his senior's roomas if the avenger of blood was at his heels. 

Bloomfield, if truth must be told, is as disinclined to get up as hisfag has been; and Parson has almost to use personal violence before hecan create an impression on his lord and master. 

"What's the time?" demands the senior. 

"Six--that is, a second or two past, " replies Parson. 

"Why didn't you call me punctually?" asks Bloomfield, digging his nosecomfortably into the pillow. "What do you mean by a second or two?"

"It's only seven past, " says Parson, in an injured tone. 

"Very well; go and see if Game's up. "

Parson skulks off to rouse Game, knowing perfectly well that Bloomfieldwill be sound asleep again before he is out of the door, which turns outto be the case. After super-human efforts to extract from Game anassurance that he's getting up that moment, and Parson needn't wait, theluckless fag returns to find his master snoring like one of the sevensleepers. The same process has to be repeated. Shouts and shakes, andan occasional sly pinch, have no effect. Parson is tempted to leave hisgraceless lord to his fate, and betake himself to his French verbs; buta dim surmise as to the consequences prevents him. At last he braceshimself up for one desperate effort. With a mighty tug he snatches theclothes off the bed, and, dragging with all his might at the arm of theobstinate hero, yells out, "I say, Bloomfield, it's half-past six, andyou wanted to be up at six. Get up!"

The effect of these combined efforts is that Bloomfield sits up in bed, rubbing his eyes, and demands, "Half-past six! Why didn't you call meat six, you young cad, eh?"

"So I did. "

"Don't tell crams. If you'd called me at six I should have been up, shouldn't I?" exclaimed Bloomfield. "I tell you I did call you, "retorts the fag. 

"Look here, " says Bloomfield, becoming alarmingly wide-awake, "I don'twant any of your cheek. Go and see if Game's up, and then see if theboat's ready. The tub-pair, mind; look sharp!"

"Please, Bloomfield, " says Parson, meekly, "do you mind if I get Parksto cox you? I've not looked at my Caesar yet, and I've got eight Frenchverbs to do besides for Coates. "

"Do you hear me? Go and see if Game's up, " replies Bloomfield. "If youchoose not to do your work overnight, and get impositions for breakingrules into the bargain, it's not my lookout, is it?"

"But I only went--" begins the unfortunate Parson. 

"I'll went you with the flat of a bat if you don't cut, " shoutsBloomfield. Whereat his fag vanishes. 

Game, of course, is fast asleep, but on him Parson has no notion ofbestowing the pains he had devoted to Bloomfield. Finding the sleeperdeaf to all his calls, he adopts the simple expedient of dipping the endof a towel in water and laying it neatly across the victim's face, shouting in his ear at the same time, "Game, I say, Bloomfield's waitingfor you down at the boats. " Having delivered himself of which, heretreats rather hastily, and only just in time. 

The row up the river that morning was rather pleasant than otherwise. When once they were awake the morning had its effect on the spirits ofall three boys. Even Parson, sitting lazily in the stern, listening tothe Sixth Form gossip of the two rowers, forgot about his Caesar andFrench verbs, and felt rather glad he had turned out after all. 

The chief object of the present expedition was not pleasure by any meansas far as Bloomfield and Game were concerned. It was one of a series oftraining practices in anticipation of the school regatta, which was tocome off on the second of June, in which the rival four-oars of thethree houses were to compete for the championship of the river. Thesecond of June was far enough ahead at present, but an old hand likeBloomfield knew well that the time was all too short to lick his crewinto shape. Parrett's boat, by all ordinary calculation, ought to win, for they had a specially good lot of men this year; and now Wyndham hadleft, the schoolhouse boat would be quite an orphan. Bloomfield himselfwas far away the best oar left in Willoughby, and if he could only getGame to work off a little of his extra fat, and bully Tipper intoreaching better forward, and break Ashley of his trick of featheringunder water, he had a crew at his back which it would be hard indeed tobeat. This morning he was taking Game in hand, and that substantialathlete was beginning to find out that "working off one's extra fat" ina tub-pair on a warm summer morning is not all sport. 

"I wonder if Tipper and Ashley will show, up, " said Bloomfield, who wasrowing bow for the sake of keeping a better watch on his pupil. "Theypromised they would. Ashley, you know--(do keep it up, Game, you'resurely not blowed yet)--Ashley's about as much too light as you are toofat--(try a little burst round the corner now; keep us well out, young'un)--but if he'll only keep his blade square till he's out of thewater--(there you go again! Of course you're hot; that's what I broughtyou out for. How do you suppose you're to boil down to the properweight unless you do perspire a bit?)--he'll make a very decent bow. Ah, there are Porter and Fairbairn in the schoolhouse tub--(you needn'tstop rowing, Game; keep it up, man; show them how you can spurt). Inever thought they'd try Porter in their boat. They might as well tryRiddell. Just shows how hard-up they must be for men. How are you?" hecried, as the schoolhouse tub went clumsily past, both rowers lookingdecidedly nervous under the critical eye of the captain of Parrett's. 

Poor Game, who had been kept hard at it for nearly a mile, now fairlystruck, and declared he couldn't keep it up any longer, and as he hadreally done a very good spell of work, Bloomfield consented to land atthe Willows and bathe; after which he and Game would run back, and youngParson might scull home the tub. 

Which delightful plan Master Parson by no means jumped at. He hadcalculated on getting at least a quarter of an hour for his Caesarbefore morning chapel if they returned as they had come. But now, if hewas expected to lug that great heavy boat back by himself, not onlywould he not get that, but the chances were he would get locked out forchapel altogether, and it would be no excuse that he had had to act asgalley-slave for Bloomfield or anybody else. 

"Look alive!" cries Bloomfield from the bank, where he is alreadystripped for his header. "And, by the way, on your way up go round toChalker's and tell him only to stick up one set of cricket nets in ourcourt; don't forget, now. Be quick; you've not too much time beforechapel. "

Saying which, he takes a running dive from the bank and leaves theluckless Parson to boil over inwardly as he digs his sculls spitefullyinto the water and begins his homeward journey. 

Was life worth living at this rate? If he didn't tell Chalker about thenets that imbecile old groundsman would be certain to stick up half adozen sets, and there'd be no end of a row. That was 7:30 striking now, and he had to be in the chapel at five minutes to eight, and Chalker'shut was a long five minutes from the boat-house. And then those eightFrench verbs and that Caesar--

It was no use thinking about them, and Parson lashed out with hissculls, caring little if that hulking tub went to the bottom. He'drather like it, in fact, for he wanted a swim. He hadn't even had timeto tub that morning, and it was certain there'd be no time now tillgoodness knew when--not till after second school, and then probably he'dbe spending a pleasant half-hour in the doctor's study. 

At this point he became aware of another boat making down on him, mannedby three juniors, who were making up in noise and splashing what theylacked in style and oarsmanship. 

Parson knew them yards away. They were rowdies of Welch's house, and hegroaned inwardly at the prospect before him. The boy steering was ourold acquaintance Pilbury, and as his boat approached he shouted outcheerily, "Hullo, there, Parson! mind your eye! We'll race you in--giveyou ten yards and bump you in twenty! Pull away, you fellows! One, two, three, gun! Off you go! Oh, well rowed, my boat! Now you've gothim! Wire in, now! Smash him up! scrunch him into the bank! Hooroo!two to one on us! Lay on to it, you fellows; he can't go straight! Sixmore strokes and you're into him! One, two, three--ha, ha! he's funkingit!--four, five--now a good one for the last--six! Hooroo! bump to us!Welch's for ever!"

So saying, the hostile boat came full tilt on to the stern of theParrett's tub, and the outraged Parson found himself next momentsprawling on his back, with the nose of his boat firmly wedged into theclay bank of the river, while his insulting adversaries sped gaily awaydown stream, making the morning hideous with their shouts and laughter. 

This little incident, as may be supposed, did not tend to compose thefluttered spirits of the unhappy Frederick. To say nothing of theindignity of being deliberately run down and screwed into the bank by acrew of young "Welchers, " the loss of time involved in extricating hisboat from the muddy obstacle which held her by the nose, put all chanceof getting in in time to go round to Chalker's before chapel out of thequestion. Indeed, it looked very like a shut-out from chapel too, andthat meant no end of a row. 

By a super-human effort he got his boat clear, and sculled down hardall, reaching the boat-house at seven minutes to eight. He had justpresence of mind enough to shout the message for Chalker to the boat-boy, with a promise of twopence if he delivered it at once; and thenwith a desperate rush he just succeeded in reaching the chapel andsqueezing himself in at the door as the bell ceased ringing. 

Chapel was not, under the circumstances, a very edifying service toParson that morning. His frame of mind was not devotional, and hisfeelings of bottled-up wrath at what was past, and dejected anticipationof what was to come, left between them no room for interest in ormeaning for the words in which his schoolfellows were joining. The onlysatisfaction morning prayers brought to him was that, for ten minutes atleast, no one could harry him; and that at least was something to begrateful for. 

Morning chapel at Willoughby was supposed to be at 7:15, and was at 7:15all the months of the year except May, June, and July, when, inconsideration of the early-morning rowing and bathing, it was postponedfor three-quarters of an hour--a concession made up for by the sacrificeof the usual half-hour's interval between breakfast and first lesson. 

This arrangement was all against Parson, who, if the half-hour had beenstill available, could at least have skimmed through his Caesar, andperhaps have begged a friend to help him with the French verbs, andpossibly even have had it out with Pilbury for his morning's diversion. As it was, there was no opportunity for the performance of any one ofthese duties, and at the sound of the pitiless bell he slunk into firstlesson, feeling himself a doomed man. 

His one hope was Telson. Telson sat next him in class, and, he knewwell, would help him if he could. 

"Telson, " he groaned, directly he found himself beside his faithfulally, "I've not looked at it!"

Telson whistled. "There'll be a row, " he muttered, consolingly; "it's ajolly hard bit. "

"Haven't you got the crib?"

Telson looked uncomfortable. "Riddell caught me with it and made megive it up. "

"What on earth business has Riddell with your cribs, I'd like to know?"exclaimed Parson, indignant, not at all on the question of morality, butbecause the last straw on which he had relied for scrambling through hisCaesar had failed him. 

"He didn't take it, but he advised me to give it up. "

"And you were fool enough to give in to him?"

"Well, he made out it wasn't honourable to use cribs, " said Telson. 

"Grandmother!" snarled Parson. "Why, Telson, I didn't think you'd havebeen such a soft!"

"No more did I, but somehow--oh! I'm awfully sorry, old man; I'll tryand get it back. "

"Doesn't much matter, " said Parson, resignedly. "I'm in for it hot to-day. "

"I'll prompt you all I can, " said the repentant Telson. 

"Thanks; I'd do the same to you if I could, " replied Parson. 

"It is a long lane that has no turning, " as the proverb says, andParson, after all, was destined to enjoy one brief glimpse of the smilesof fortune that day. The first boy put up to translate stumbled over asomewhat intricate point of syntax. Now Mr Warton, the master--as themanner of many masters is--was writing a little book on Latin Syntax, and this particular passage happened to be a superb example of a certainstyle of construction which till this moment had escaped his notice. Delighted with the discovery, he launched out into a short lecture onthe subject generally, citing all the examples he had already got in hisbook, and comparing them with other forms of construction to be foundscattered through the entire range of Latin classical literature. 

How Parson and Telson enjoyed that lecture! They listened to it withrapt attention with hearts full of gratitude and faces full of sympathy. They did not understand a word of it, but a chapter out of "MidshipmanEasy" could not have delighted them more; and when they saw that theclock had slowly worked round from nine to ten they would not haveinterrupted it for the world. 

"Ah!" said Mr Warton, taking out his watch, "I see time's up. We'vehad more Syntax than Caesar to-day. Never mind, it's a point worthremarking, and sure to be useful as you get on in Latin. The class isdismissed. "

Little he knew the joy his words carried to two small hearts in hisaudience. 

"Jolly good luck that!" said Parson, as he strolled out into the passagearm-in-arm with his friend. "Now if I can only get those beastly verbsdone before Coates asks for them! I say, Telson, do you know the dodgefor sticking three nibs on one pen and writing three lines all at onetime?"

"Tried it once, " said Telson, "but it didn't pay. It took longer tokeep sticking them in when they fell out, and measuring them to write onthe lines, than to write the thing twice over the ordinary way. I'llwrite out part, old man. "

"Thanks, Telson, you're an awful brick. I suppose Riddell wouldn'tthink it wicked of you to write another fellow's impot, would he?"

"I half fancy he would; but I won't tell him. Hullo! though, here comesCoates. "

A monitor wearing his "mortar-board" approached. 

"Where's your imposition, Parson?" he asked. 

"I'm awfully sorry, " said Parson, "but it's not quite done yet, Coates. "

"How much is done?" demanded Coates. 

"Not any yet, " said Parson, with some confusion. "I was just going tobegin. Wasn't I, Telson?"

"Won't do, " said Coates; "you were up the river this morning, I saw you. If you can go up the river you can do your impositions. Better comewith me to the captain. "

Coming with a monitor to the captain meant something unpleasant. Thediscipline of Willoughby, particularly in outside matters, was leftalmost entirely in the hands of the monitors, who with the captain, their head, were responsible as a body to the head master for the orderof the school. It was very rarely that a case had to go beyond themonitors, whose authority was usually sufficient to enable them to dealsummarily with all ordinary offenders. 

It was by no means the first time that Parson, who was reputed by almostevery one but himself and Telson to be an incorrigible scamp, had beenhaled away to this awful tribunal, and he was half regretting that hehad not met his fate over the Caesar after all, and so escaped hispresent position, when another monitor appeared down the passage and metthem. It was Ashley. 

"Hullo! Coates, " said he, "I wish you'd come to my study and help mechoose half a dozen trout-flies, there's a good fellow. I've had a bookup from the town, and I don't know which are the best to use. "

"All serene, " said Coates, "I'll be there directly. I'm just going totake this youngster to the captain. "

"Who is the captain?" said Ashley. "Wyndham's gone, and no one's beennamed yet that I know of. I suppose it's Bloomfield. "

"Eh? I never thought of that. No, I expect it'll be a schoolhousefellow. Always is, isn't it. Parson, you can go. Bring me twelveFrench verbs written out to my study before chapel to-morrow. Come on, Ashley. "

And Parson departed, consoled in spirit, to announce to Telson and thelower school generally that Willoughby was at present without a captain. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

THE VACANT CAPTAINCY. 

Who was to be the new captain of Willoughby? This was a question it hadoccurred to only a very few to ask until Wyndham had finally quitted theschool. Fellows had grown so used to the old order of things, which hadcontinued now for two years, that the possibility of their bowing to anyother chief than "Old Wynd" had scarcely crossed their minds. But thequestion being once asked, it became very interesting indeed. 

The captains of Willoughby had been by long tradition what is known as"all-round men. " There was something in the air of the place thatseemed specially favourable to the development of muscle and classicalproficiency at the same time, and the consequence was that the lastthree heads of the school had combined in one person the senior classicand the captains of the clubs. Wyndham had been the best of these;indeed he was as much ahead of his fellows in the classical school as hewas in the cricket-field and on the river, which was saying not alittle. His predecessors had both also been head boys in classics; andalthough neither of them actually the best men of their time inathletics, they had been sufficiently near the best to entitle them tothe place of honour, which made the Willoughby captain supreme, not onlyin school, but out of it. So that in the memory of the present"generation"--a school generation being reckoned as five years--theWilloughby captain had always been cock of the school in every sense inwhich such a distinction was possible. 

But now all of a sudden the school woke up to the fact that thisdelightful state of things was not everlasting. Wyndham had left andhis mantle had fallen from him in two pieces. 

The new head classic was Riddell, a comparatively unknown boy in theschool, who had come there a couple of years ago from a private school, and about whom the most that was known was that he was physically weakand timid, rarely taking part in any athletic exercises, having very fewchums, interfering very little with anybody else, and reputed "pi. "--asthe more irreverent among the Willoughbites were wont to stigmatise anyfellow who made a profession of goodness. Such was the boy on whom, according to strict rule, the captaincy of Willoughby would devolve, andit need hardly be said that the discovery spread consternation whereverit travelled. 

Among the seniors the idea was hardly taken seriously. 

"The doctor would never be so ridiculous, " said Ashley to Coates, asthey talked the matter over in the study of the former. "We might aswell shut up the school. "

"The worst of it is, I don't see how he can help it, " replied Coates. 

"Help it! Of course he can help it if he likes. There's no written lawthat head classics are to be captains, if they can't hold a bat or run ahundred yards, is there?"

"I don't suppose there is. But who else is there?"

"Why, Bloomfield, of course. He's just the fellow for it, and thefellows all look up to him. "

"But Bloomfield's low down in the sixth, " said Coates. 

"What's that to do with it? Felton was a muff at rowing, but he wasmade captain of the boats all the same while he was cock of the school. "

At this point another monitor entered. 

"Ah, Tipper, " said Ashley, "what do you think Coates here is saying? Hesays Riddell is to be the new captain. "

Tipper burst into a loud laugh. 

"That would be a joke! Think of Riddell stroking the school eight atHenley, eh! or kicking off for us against Rockshire! I suppose Coatesthinks because Riddell's a schoolhouse boy he's bound to be the man. Never fear. You'll see Parrett's come to the front at last, my boy!"

"Why, are _you_ to be the new captain?" asked Coates, with a slightsneer. 

Tipper was not pleased with this little piece of sarcasm. He was a goodcricketer and a fine runner, but in school everybody knew him to be aspoor a scholar as a fellow could be to be in the sixth at all. 

"I dare say even I would be as good as any schoolhouse fellow you couldpick out, " said he. "But if you want to know, Bloomfield's the man. "

"Just what I was saying, " said Ashley. "But Coates says he's not farenough up in the school. "

"All bosh, " said Tipper. "What difference does it make if a fellow'sfirst or twentieth in the school, as long as he's cock of everythingoutside! I don't see how the doctor can hesitate a moment between thetwo. "

This was the conclusion come to at almost all the conclaves which mettogether during the day to discuss the burning question. It was theconclusion moreover to which Bloomfield himself came as he talked thematter over with a few of his friends after third school. 

"You see, " said he, "it's not that I care about the thing for its ownsake. It would be a precious grind, I know, to have to be responsiblefor everything that goes on, and to have to lick all the kids that wanta hiding. But for all that, I'd sooner do it than let the school rundown. "

"What I hope, " said some one, "is that even if Paddy doesn't see ithimself, Riddell will, and will have the sense to back out of it. Ifancy he wouldn't be sorry. "

"Not he, " said Bloomfield. "I heard him say once he pitied Wyndham allthe bother he had, especially when he was wanting to stew for theexams. "

"Has any one seen Riddell lately?" asked Game. "It wouldn't be a badthing for some of us to see him, and put it to him, that the schoolwould go to the dogs to a dead certainty if he was captain. "

"Rather a blunt way of putting it, " said Porter, laughing. "I'd breakit to him rather more gently than that. "

"Well, you know what I mean, " replied Game, who was of the downrightorder. 

"You see, " said Bloomfield, who, despite his protestations, wasevidently not displeased at the notion of his possible honours, "I don'tprofess to be much of a swell in school; but--I don't know--I fancy Icould keep order rather better than he could. The fellows know me. "

"They ought to, if they don't, " said Wibberly, who was a toady. 

"Fancy Riddell having to lick a junior, " said Game. "Why he'd faint atthe very idea. "

"Probably take him off to his study and have a prayer-meeting withFairbairn and a few more of that lot upon the top of him, " said Gilks, aschoolhouse monitor, and not a nice-looking fellow. 

"I guess I'd sooner get a hiding from old Bloomfield than that, " laughedWibberly. 

"I hope, " said Game, "snivelling's not going to be the order of the day. I can't stand it. "

"I don't think you've any right to call Riddell a sniveller, " saidPorter. "He may be a muff at sports, but I don't fancy he's a sneak. And I don't see that it's against him, either, if he does go in forbeing what he professes to be. "

"Hear! hear!--quite a sermon from Porter, " cried Wibberly. 

"Porter's right, " said Bloomfield. "No one says it was against him. All I say is that I don't expect the fellows will mind him as much asthey would a fellow who--well, who's better known, you know. "

"Rather, " said Game, "I know it would seem precious rum being a monitorunder him. "

"Well, " said Bloomfield, "I suppose it will be settled soon. Meanwhile, Game, what do you say to another grind in the tub? You didn't half workthis morning, you beggar. "

Game groaned resignedly, and said "All right;" and hue and cry wasforthwith made for Master Parson's services at the helm. 

But Master Parson, as it happened, was not to be found. He was neitherin the school nor in his house, and a search through the grounds failedto unearth him. He had not been seen since his escape from themonitorial fangs after morning school. The natural thing, of course, onnot finding him at home in his own quarters, was to look for him inTelson's. But he was not there, nor, strange to say, was Telsonhimself. And, what was still more odd, when search came to be made, Bosher, another fag of Parrett's house, was missing, and so was Lawkins, and Pringle, and King, and Wakefield, and one or two others of the sameglorious company. After a fruitless search, the oarsmen had finally togo down to the river without a fag at all, and impound the boat-boy tosteer for them. 

The fact was, Parson's miraculous release from the hands of the law thatmorning, and the reason which led to it, had suggested both to himselfand the faithful Telson that the present was rather a rare opportunityfor them in the annals of Willoughby. If there was no captain, therewas no one to give them a licking (for the worst an ordinary monitorcould do was to give an imposition), and that being so, it would surelybe a waste of precious opportunity if they failed to signalise the eventby some little celebration. And, as it happened, there was a littlecelebration which badly wanted celebrating, and for which only a chancelike the present could have been considered favourable. In other words, there was a rather long score which the juniors of Parrett's wereanxious to settle up with the juniors of Welch's. The debt was of longstanding, having begun as far back as the middle of the Lent term, whenthe Welchers had played upon some of Parrett's with a hose from behindtheir own door, and culminating in the unprovoked outrage upon theluckless Parson on the river that very morning. 

Now if there was one thing more than another the young Parretts pridedthemselves in, it was their punctuality in matters of business; and ithad troubled them sorely that circumstances over which they had nocontrol (in other words, the fear of Wyndham) should have preventedtheir settling scores with the Welchers at an earlier date. 

Now, however, an opportunity was come, and, like all honest men, theydetermined at once to avail themselves of it. 

So the reason why Bloomfield and Game could find no fags in Parrett'shouse to steer for them was because all the fags of Parrett's house, aided by Telson of the schoolhouse, were at that moment paying abusiness call at Welch's, and having on the whole rather a lively timeof it. 

The juniors of Welch's were, take them altogether, a rather more rowdylot than the juniors of either of the two other houses, or, indeed, thanthose of both the other houses put together. Somehow Welch's was alwaysthe rowdy house of Willoughby. The honours of the school, whether inclass or in field, always seemed to go in any direction but their own, and as, for five or six years at any rate, they had been unable to claimany one distinguished Willoughbite as a member of their house, they hadcome to regard themselves somewhat in the light of Ishmaelites. Everybody's hand seemed to be against them, and they therefore didn'tsee why their hand shouldn't be against every one. 

It was this feeling which had prompted the assaults of which theyouthful Parretts had come to complain, and which the Welchersdistributed as impartially as possible among all their fellowWilloughbites. 

The fact was, Welch's was a bad house. The fellows there rarely madecommon cause for any lawful purpose, certainly never for the credit ofthe school. They were split up into cliques and sets of all sorts, andthe rising generation among them were left to grow up pretty much asthey liked. 

On the afternoon in question an entertainment on a small scale was goingon in the study jointly occupied by Cusack and Pilbury. Captain Cusack, R. N. , when he had parted from his dutiful son the night before, had putfive shillings into his hand as a pleasant memento of his visit; andMaster Cusack, directly after second school that morning, had skulkeddown into Shellport with his hat-box, and returned in due time with thesame receptacle packed almost to bursting with dough-nuts, herrings, peppermint-rock, and sherbet. With these dainties to recommend him (andhis possession of them soon got wind) it need hardly be said he becameall of a sudden the most popular youth in Welch's. Fellows who wouldhave liked to kick him yesterday now found themselves loving him liketheir own brother, and the enthusiasm felt for him grew to such a pitchthat it really seemed as if not only his hat-box, but he himself, was indanger. However, by a little judicious manoeuvring he got safe into hisstudy, and, after a hasty consultation with Pil, decided to ask Curtis, Philpot, Morrison, and Morgan, their four most intimate friends, to dothem the pleasure of joining in a small "blow-out" after third school. These four worthies, who, by a most curious coincidence, happened to beloafing outside Cusack's study-door at the very moment when Pilburystarted off to find them, had much pleasure in accepting their friend'skind invitation; and the rest, finding themselves out of it, yapped offdisconsolately, agreeing inwardly that Cusack was the stingiest beast inall Willoughby. 

If punctuality is a test of politeness, Curtis, Morgan, Philpot, andMorrison were that afternoon four of the politest young gentlemen in theland; for they were all inside Cusack's study almost before the belldismissing third school had ceased to sound. 

"Jolly brickish of you, old man, " said Morrison, complacently regardingthe unpacking of the magic hat-box. "I've not seen a dough-nut foryears. "

"I got these at a new shop, " said Cusack, trying to rescue some of thesherbet which had fallen in among the herrings. "Gormon never hasanything but red-currant jam in his. These are greengage. "

"How jolly prime!" was the delighted exclamation. 

"Three-halfpence each, though, " said Cusack, laying the herrings out ina row on the table. "I say, I wish we'd got some forks or something totoast these with. "

"Wouldn't the slate do to stick them on?" suggested Curtis. 

"Might do, only Grange wrote out a lot of Euclid questions on it, andI've got to show them to him answered to-morrow, and I'd get in an awfulrow if it was rubbed out. "

"Rather a bore. I tell you what, though, " exclaimed Philpot, struckwith the brilliant idea, "there's the pan in the chemistry-room they mixup the sulphur and phosphorus and that sort of thing in. I'll cut andget that. It's just the thing. "

"All serene, " said Cusack; "better give it a rub over in case it blowsup, you know. "

Philpot said "All right, " and went, leaving the others to poke up thefire and get all ready for the reception of the pan. 

He was a long while about it, certainly, considering that the chemistry-room was only just at the end of the passage. 

"I wonder what he's up to?" said Pilbury, when after about three minuteshe did not return. 

"I wish he'd hurry up, " said Curtis, whose special attraction wastowards the dough-nuts, which of course could not come on till after theherrings. 

"I wonder if he's larking about with some of the chemicals. I neverknew such a fellow as he is for smells and blow-ups--"

"I'll blow him up if he's not sharp, " said Cusack, losing patience andlooking mournfully at the row of herrings on the table. 

"Let's begin without him, " said Pilbury. 

"So we would if we had anything to do them on. "

"I'll go and see if I can get a fork or two, " said Morrison. 

"Thanks, and wake up Philpot while you're out. "

Morrison went, and the others kicked their heels impatiently and eyedthe good things hungrily as they waited. 

Cusack tried toasting a herring on one of the small forks, but the heatof the fire was too great for him to hold his hand at such closequarters, and he gave it up in disgust. 

What was the matter with everybody this afternoon? Morrison was awayages and did not return. 

"Oh, bother it all!" exclaimed Cusack, whose patience was now fairlyexhausted, "if they don't choose to come I'm hung if they'll getanything now. I'll go and get the pan myself. "

And off he went in high dudgeon, leaving his guests in charge of thefeast. 

"If he can't get the pan or a toasting-fork, " said Curtis, disinterestedly, "wouldn't it be as well to have the dough-nuts now, andleave the herrings till supper, eh, Pil? Pity for them to get stale. "

Pilbury said nothing, but broke off a little piece of the peppermint-rock in a meditative manner, and drummed his feet on the floor. 

"Upon my word, " he broke out after a good three minutes' waiting, "thatblessed pan must be jolly heavy. There's three of them sticking to itnow!"

"Wait a bit, I hear him coming, " said Curtis, going to the door. Hestepped out into the passage, Morgan following him. 

Pilbury heard a sudden scuffling outside, and a sound of what did notseem like Welchers' voices. He hurried to the door to ascertain thecause, and as he did so he found himself caught roughly by the arm andslung violently against the opposite wall, while at the same momentTelson, Parson, Bosher, and half a dozen Parrett juniors rushed past himinto the empty study, slamming and locking and barricading the doorbehind them!

It was all so quickly done that the luckless Welchers could hardlybelieve their own senses. But when they heard the distant voice ofPhilpot shouting that he was locked up in the chemistry-room, and ofMorrison complaining that he couldn't get out of his own study, and ofCusack demanding to be released from the lavatory; and when theircombined assault on the door produced nothing but defiant laughtermingled with the merry frizzing of the herrings before the fire, theyknew it was no dream but a hideous fact. They had presence of mindenough to release their incarcerated comrades and attempt anotherassault in force on the door. But it came to nothing. In vain theyshouted, threatened, entreated, kicked. They only received facetiousanswers from inside, which aggravated their misery. 

"Go it, you fellows, " shouted one voice, very like Parson's, only themouth was so full that it was hard to say for certain. "Jolly gooddough-nuts these; have another, Bosher, you've only had four. I say, Cusack, where did you catch these prime herrings? Best I've tastedsince I came here. Afraid your slate's a little damaged; awfully sorry, you ought to keep a toasting-fork--ha! ha!" and a chorus of laughtergreeted the sally. Cusack groaned and fumed. 

"You pack of young cads, " he howled through the key-hole. "Come out ofthere, do you hear? you thieves you. I'll warm you, Parson, when I gethold of you. "

"Just what we're doing to the bloaters, " cried Telson. There was apause. Then Pilbury cried in tones of feigned warning, "Here comes thedoctor! We'll see what he says. "

"Won't do, " shouted Parson from within. "Won't wash, my boy. Paddy'sdown at Shellport. Any more sherbet left, King?"

"I'll go and tell the captain, that's what I'll do, " said Pilbury. 

"Won't wash again, " cried Parson. "There's no captain to tell; I say, we're leaving something for you, aren't we, you fellows? There'll beall the heads of the herrings and the greengage stones-- jolly blow-outfor you. "

It was no use attempting further parley, and the irate Welchers werecompelled to lurk furiously outside the door while the feast proceeded, and console themselves with the prospect of paying the enemy out when itwas all over. 

But the skill which had accompanied the execution of the raid so far wasnot likely to omit all precautions possible to make good a retreat. While most of the party were making all the noise they could, andsucceeding with jest and gibe in keeping the attention of those outside, the barricade against the door had been quietly removed, and deckscleared for the sortie. 

"Now then, you fellows, " cried Parson to his men, in a voice which thoseoutside were intended to hear, "make yourselves comfortable. Here's astunning lot of peppermint-rock here, pass it round. Needn't go homefor half an hour at least!"

The watchers outside groaned. There was no help at hand; and for one ofthem to go and seek it was only to increase the odds against them. Theonly thing was to wait patiently till the enemy did come out. _Then_ itwould be their turn. So they leaned up against the door and waited. The revelry within became more and more boisterous, and the chances of aspeedy retreat more and more remote, when all of a sudden there was asharp click and the door swung back hard on its hinges, precipitatingCusack, Pilbury, and Curtis backwards into the room in among the veryfeet of the besieged as, in a compact body, they rushed out. Morrison, Philpot, and Morgan did what little they could to oppose them but theywere simply run over and swept aside by the wily troop of Parretts, whowith shouts of derisive triumph gained the staircase with unbrokenranks, and gave their pursuers the parting gratification of watchingthem slide down the banisters one by one, and then lounge off arm-in-arm, sated and jubilant, to their own quarters. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

THE NEW CAPTAIN'S INTRODUCTION. 

Of course a row was made, or attempted to be made, about the daringexploit of the fags of Parrett's House narrated in the last chapter. The matter was duly reported to the head monitor of Welch's by theinjured parties. But the result only proved how very cunning theoffenders had been in choosing this particular time for the execution oftheir raid. 

The head of Welch's reported the matter to Bloomfield, as the head ofParrett's. But Bloomfield, who had plenty to do to punish offencescommitted in his own House, replied that the head of Welch's had bettermention it to the captain of the school. _He_ couldn't do anything. The head of Welch's pointed out that there was no captain of the schoolat present. What was he to do?

Bloomfield suggested that he had better "find out, " and there the matterended. Wherever the head Welcher took his complaint he got the sameanswer; and it became perfectly clear that as long as Willoughby waswithout a captain, law and order was at a discount. 

However, such a state of things was not destined long to last. A noticewent round from the doctor to the monitors the next day asking them toassemble directly after chapel the following morning in the library. Every one knew what this meant; and when later on it was rumoured thatRiddell had gone to the doctor's that evening to tea, it became prettyevident in which direction things were going. 

"Tea at the doctor's" was always regarded as rather a terrible ordeal bythose who occasionally came in for the honour. Some would infinitelyhave preferred a licking in the library, and others would have feltdecidedly more comfortable in the dock of a police-court. Even theoldest boys, whose conduct was exemplary, and whose conscience had aslittle to make it uneasy in the head master's presence as in thepresence of the youngest fag in Willoughby, were always glad when theceremony was over. 

The reason of all this was not in the doctor. Dr Patrick was one ofthe kindest and pleasantest of men. He could not, perhaps, throw offthe Dominie altogether on such occasions, but he always tried hard, andif there had been no one more formidable than "Paddy" to deal with themeal would have been comparatively pleasant and unalarming. 

But there was a Mrs Patrick and a Mrs Patrick's sister, and beforethese awful personages the boldest Willoughbite quailed and trembled. From the moment the unhappy guest entered the parlour these two (whowere always there) fastened their eyes on him and withered him. Theyspoke ceremoniously in the language in which the grand old ladies usedto speak in the old story-books. If he chanced to speak, they sat erectin their chairs listening to him with all their ears, looking at himwith all their eyes, freezing him with all their faintest of smiles. Noone could sit there under their inspection without feeling that everyword and look and gesture was being observed, probably with a view torecording it in a letter home; and the idea of being at one's ease withthem in the room was about as preposterous as the idea of sleepingcomfortably on a wasp's nest!

And yet, if truth were known, these good females meant well. They hadtheir own ideas of what boys should be (neither having any of theirown), and fondly imagined that during these occasional ceremonies in thedoctor's parlour they were rendering valuable assistance in the "dearboy's" education by giving him some idea of the manners and charms ofpolite society!

It was in such genial company that Riddell, the head classic ofWilloughby, was invited to bask for a short time on the evening of theday before the appointment of the new captain. He had been there oncebefore when his father and mother had come over to visit him. And evenwith their presence as a set-off, the evening had been one of the mostawful experiences of his life. But now that he was to go all alone topartake of state tea with those two, this shy awkward boy felt about ascheerful as if he had been walking helplessly into a lion's den. 

"Well, Riddell, " said the doctor, pleasantly, as after long hesitationthe guest at last ventured to arrive, "how are you? My dear, this isRiddell, whom I believe you have seen before. Miss Stringer too I thinkyou met. "

Riddell coloured deeply and shivered inwardly as he advanced first toone lady then to the other and solemnly shook hands. 

"I trust your parents are in good health, Mr Riddell, " said MrsPatrick in her most precise tones. 

"Very well indeed, thank you, " replied Riddell; "that is, " he added, correcting himself suddenly, "my mother is very poorly, thank you. "

"I regret to hear you say so, " said Mrs Patrick, transfixing theunhappy youth with her eyes. "I trust her indisposition is not of aserious character. "

"I hope she will, thank you, ma'am, " replied Riddell, who somehowfancied his hostess had said, or had been going to say, she hoped hismother would soon recover. 

"Er, I beg your pardon?" said Mrs Patrick, leaning slightly forward andinclining her head a little on one side. 

"I mean, I beg your pardon, " said Riddell, suddenly perceiving hismistake and losing his head at the same time, "I mean, quite so, thankyou. "

"You mean, " interposed Miss Stringer at this point, in a voice a notedeeper than her sister's, "that your mother's indisposition _is_ of aserious character?"

"Oh no, not at all, I'm sure, " ejaculated the hapless Riddell. 

"I am glad to hear you say so, very, " said Miss Stringer. 

"Very, " said Mrs Patrick. 

At this point Riddell had serious thoughts of bolting altogether, andmight have done so had not the servant just then created a diversion bybringing in the kettle. 

"Sit down, Riddell, " said the doctor, "and make yourself at home. Whatare the prospects for the regatta this year? Is the schoolhouse boat towin?"

"I'm sorry I can't say, " replied Riddell. "I believe Parrett's is thefavourite. "

"Mr Riddell means Mr Parrett's, I presume?" asked Mrs Patrick in hersweetest tones, looking hard at the speaker, and emphasising the "Mr"

"I beg your pardon, " he said, "I'm sorry. "

"We shall miss Wyndham, " said the doctor. 

"Yes, thank you, " replied Riddell, who at that moment was dodgingvaguely in front of Miss Stringer as she stood solemnly waiting to getpast him to the tea-table. 

It was a relief when tea was at last ready, and when some otheroccupation was possible than that of looking at and being looked at bythese two ladies. 

"You're not very fond of athletics, Riddell?" asked the doctor. 

"No, sir, " answered Riddell, steadily avoiding the eyes of the females. 

"I often think you'd be better if you took more exercise, " said thedoctor. 

"Judging by Mr Riddell's looks, " said Mrs Patrick, "it would certainlyseem as if he hardly did himself justice physically. "

This enigmatical sentence, which might have been a compliment or mighthave been a rebuke or might have meant neither, Riddell found himselfquite unable to reply to appropriately, and therefore, like a sensibleman, took a drink of tea instead. It was the first dawn of revivingpresence of mind. 

"Apart from your own health altogether, " continued the doctor, "I fancyyour position with the other boys would be better if you entered rathermore into their sports. "

"I often feel that, sir, " said Riddell, with a touch of seriousness inhis tones, "and I wish I could do it. "

"I hope that there is no consideration as to health which debars youfrom this very desirable exercise, Mr Riddell, " said Mrs Patrick. "Ibeg your pardon, " said Riddell, who did not quite take it in. MrsPatrick never liked being asked to repeat her speeches. She flatteredherself they were lucid enough to need no second delivery. Shetherefore repeated her remark slowly and in precisely the same words andtone--

"I hope that there is no consideration as to health which debars youfrom this very desirable exercise, Mr Riddell?"

Riddell took half a moment to consider, and then replied, triumphantly, "I'm quite well, thank you, ma'am. "

"I am pleased to hear that, " said Mrs Patrick, rather icily, for thislast observation had seemed to her a little rude. "Very, " chimed inMiss Stringer. 

After this there was a silence, which Riddell devoutly hoped might lasttill it was time to go. Had the ladies not been there he would haveliked very much to speak to the doctor about school matters, and thedoctor, but for the same cause, would have wished to talk to his headboy. But it was evident this tea-table was not the place for suchconversation. 

"I hear, " said the doctor, after the pause had continued some time, addressing his sister-in-law, "there is likely to be an election inShellport before long; Sir Abraham is retiring. "

"Indeed, you surprise me, " said Miss Stringer. "It is unexpected, " saidthe doctor, "but it is thought there will be a sharp contest for theseat. "

"And are you a Liberal or a Conservative, Mr Riddell?" asked MrsPatrick, thinking it time that unfortunate youth was again tempted intothe conversation. 

"A Liberal, ma'am, " replied Riddell. "Oh! boys are generallyConservatives, are they not?" She asked this question in a tone as ifshe expected him to try to deceive her in his answer. However, heevaded it by replying bashfully, "I hope not. "

"And pray, " said Miss Stringer, putting down her cup, and turning fullon her victim, "will you favour us with your reasons for such a hope, Mr Riddell?"

Poor Riddell! he little thought what he had let himself in for. Ifthere was one subject the two ladies were rabid on it was politics. They proceeded to pounce upon, devour, and annihilate the unlucky headclassic without mercy. They made him contradict himself twice or thricein every sentence; they proved to him clearly that he knew nothing atall of what he was talking about, and generally gave him to understandthat he was an impertinent, conceited puppy for presuming to have anopinion of his own on such matters!

Riddell came out of the ordeal very much as a duck comes out of thehands of the poulterer. Luckily, by the time the discussion was over itwas time for him to go. He certainly could not have held out muchlonger. As it was, he was good for nothing after it, and went to bedearly that night with a very bad headache. 

Before he left, however, the doctor had accompanied him into the hall, and said, "There are a few things, Riddell, I want to speak to youabout. Will you come to my study a quarter of an hour before morningchapel to-morrow?"

Had the invitation been to breakfast in that horrible parlour Riddellwould flatly have declined it. As it was he cheerfully accepted it, andonly wished the doctor had thought of it before, and spared him themisery of that evening with the two Willoughby griffins!

He could hardly help guessing what it was the doctor had to say to him, or why it was he had been asked to tea that evening. And he felt verydejected as he thought about it. Like most of the other Willoughbites, the idea of a new captain having to be appointed had never occurred tohim till Wyndham had finally left the school. And when it did occur, and when moreover it began to dawn upon him that he himself was theprobable successor, horror filled his mind. He couldn't do it. He wasnot cut out for it. He would sooner leave Willoughby altogether. Theboys either knew nothing about him, or they laughed at him for hisclumsiness, or they suspected him as a coward, or they despised him as aprig. He had wit enough to know what Willoughby thought of him, andthat being so, how could he ever be its captain?

"I would much rather you named some one else, " said he to the doctor attheir interview next morning. "I know quite well I couldn't get on. "

"You have not tried yet, " said the doctor. 

"But I've not the strength, and the boys don't like me, " pleadedRiddell. 

"You must make them like you, Riddell, " said the doctor. 

"How can I? They will dislike me all the more if I am made captain. Ihave no influence with them, indeed I have not. "

"How do you know?" said the doctor again. "Have you tried yet?"

"I could never do what Wyndham did. He was such a splendid captain. "

"Why?" asked the doctor. 

"I suppose because he was a splendid athlete, and threw himself into alltheir pursuits, and--and set a good example himself. "

"I think you are partly right and partly wrong, " said the doctor. "There are several fine athletes in Willoughby who would make poorcaptains; and as for throwing oneself into school pursuits and setting agood example, I don't think either is beyond your reach. "

Riddell felt very uncomfortable. He began to feel that after all hemight be shirking a duty he ought to undertake. But he made one moreeffort. 

"There are so many others would do it better, sir, whom the boys look upto already, " he said. "Bloomfield, for instance, or--"

The doctor held up his hand. 

"We will not go into that, Riddell, " he said. "You must not suppose Iand others have not considered the good of Willoughby in this matter. It remains for you to consider it also. As you grow older you willconstantly find duties confronting you which may be sorely against yourinclination, but which as an honest man you will know are not to beshirked. You have a chance of beginning now. I don't pretend to sayyou will find it easy or pleasant work, or that you are likely tosucceed, at first at any rate, as well as others have done. But unlessI am mistaken you will not give in on that account. Of course you willneed to exert yourself. You know what boys look for in a captain; it'snot mere muscle, or agility. Get them by all means if you can; but whatwill be worth far more than these will be sympathy. If they discoveryou are one with them, and that in your efforts to keep order you havethe welfare of the school chiefly at heart, they will come out, dependupon it, and meet you half-way. It's worth trying, Riddell. "

Riddell said nothing, but his face was rather more hopeful as he lookedup at the doctor. 

"Come, " said the latter, "there's the bell for chapel. It's time wewent in. "

Riddell entered chapel that morning in a strangely conflicting frame ofmind. The hope was still in his face, but the misgivings were still inhis heart, and the whole prospect before him seemed to be a dream. 

As the slight shy boy walked slowly up the floor to his place among theSixth, the boys on either side eyed him curiously and eagerly, and ahalf-titter, half-sneer greeted his appearance. 

Some regarded him with a disfavour which amounted to positive dislike, others with disdain and even contempt, and others thought of Wyndham andwondered what Willoughby was coming to. Even among the Sixth many anunfriendly glance was darted at him as he took his seat, and many awhispered foreboding passed from boy to boy. Only a few watched himwith looks of sympathy, and of these scarcely one was hopeful. 

Happily for Riddell, he could not see half of all this; and when in amoment the doctor entered and prayers began, he saw none of it. For hewas one of a few at Willoughby to whom this early-morning service wassomething more than a mere routine, and who felt, especially at timeslike this, that in those beautiful familiar words was to be found thebest of all preparations for the day's duties. 

Telson, as he stood down by the door, with his hands in his pockets, beside his friend Parson, was void of all such reflections. What waschiefly occupying his lordly mind at that moment was the discoverysuddenly made, that if Riddell was the new captain, he of course wouldbe captain's fag. And he was not quite sure whether to be pleased orthe reverse at his new dignity. 

"You see, " said he to his ally, in a whisper, "it's good larks markingthe fellows off every morning as they come into chapel, but then, don'tyou twig that means I've got to be here the moment the bell beginsringing? and that's no joke. "

"No, unless you got leave to ring the bell, too, " said Parson. "Then ofcourse they couldn't troop in till you were there. I'd come down andhelp with the bell, you know. "

"Wouldn't do, I fancy, " said Telson. "Then, of course, it's swellenough work to have to go about and tell the monitors what they've gotto do, but I'm not so sure if it's a good thing to mix altogether withmonitors--likely to spoil a chap, eh?"

"Rather, " said Parson. "Look out, Porter's looking. "

Whereupon this brief but edifying dialogue broke off for the present. 

The monitors duly assembled in the doctor's library after chapel. Theyall of them knew what was coming, and their general attitude did notseem promising for the new _regime_. Each one possibly fancied he hadthe interests of Willoughby at heart, and all but one or two feltconvinced that in putting Riddell into the position of captain thedoctor was committing a serious mistake. Every one could have givengood reasons for thinking so, and would have asserted that they had nopersonal ill-feeling towards the new captain, but for the sake of theschool they were sure he was not the fit person. Whether each one feltequally sure that he himself would have filled the post better is aquestion it is not necessary to ask here. 

The doctor was brief and to the point. 

"I dare say you know why I have called you together, " he said. "Wyndham--whom every one here liked and respected, and who did a greatdeal for the school"--("Hear, hear, " from one or two voices)--"has left, and we shall all miss him. The captain of the school has always for along time past been the head classical boy. It is not a law of theMedes and Persians that it should be so, and if there seemed any specialreason why the rule should be broken through there is nothing to preventthat being done. "

At this point one or two breathed rather more freely and the attentiongenerally was intensified. After all, this seemed like the preface to amore favourable announcement. But those who thought so found theirmistake when the doctor proceeded. 

"In the present case there is no such reason, and Riddell here is fullyaware of the duties expected of him, and is prepared to perform them. Ilook to you to support him, and am confident if all work heartilytogether no one need be afraid for the continued success of Willoughby. "

The doctor ended his speech amid the silence of his audience, which wasnot broken as he turned and left the room. At the same moment, to therelief of no one more than of Riddell, the bell sounded for breakfastand the assembly forthwith broke up. 

CHAPTER FIVE. 

THE NEW CAPTAIN IS DISCUSSED ON LAND AND WATER. 

The doctor's announcement was not long in taking effect. As soon asthird school was over that afternoon the monitors assembled in the SixthForm room to discuss the situation. Fortunately for Riddell's peace ofmind, he was not present; but nearly all the others, whether friendly orotherwise, were there. 

Game, with his usual downrightness, opened the ball. 

"Well, you fellows, " said he, "what are you going to do?"

"Let's have a game of leapfrog while the fags aren't looking, " saidCrossfield, a schoolhouse monitor and a wag in a small way. 

"It's all very well for you to fool about, " said Game, ill-temperedly. "You schoolhouse fellows think, as long as you get well looked after, Willoughby may go to the dogs. "

"What do you mean?" said Fairbairn. "I don't think so. "

"I suppose you'd like to make out that Riddell is made captain becausehe's the best man for the place, and not because the doctor alwaysfavours the schoolhouse, " snarled Wibberly. 

"He's made captain because he's head classic, " replied Fairbairn; "ithas nothing to do with his being a schoolhouse fellow. "

"All very well, " said Tucker, of Welch's, "but it's a precious oddthing, all the same, that the captain is always picked out of theschoolhouse. "

"And it's a precious odd thing too, " chimed in Crossfield, "that a headclassic was never to be got out of Welch's for love or money!"

This turned the laugh against the unlucky Tucker, who was notoriously along way off being head classic. 

"What I say is, " said Game, "we want an all-round man for captain--afellow like Bloomfield here, who's well up in the Sixth, and far awaythe best fellow in the eleven and the boats. Besides, he doesn't shuthimself up like Riddell, and give himself airs. I can't see why thedoctor didn't name him. The only thing against him seems to be thathe's not a schoolhouse gentleman. "

"That's the best thing about him in my opinion, " said Ashley. 

If Game and his friends had determined to do their best to gain friendsfor the new captain, this constant bringing-up of the rivalry betweenParrett's house and the schoolhouse was the very way to do it. Many ofthe schoolhouse monitors had felt as sore as anybody about theappointments, but this sort of talk inclined not a few of them to takeRiddell's side. 

"I don't want any row made on my account, " said Bloomfield. "If Paddythinks Riddell's the best man, we have no choice in the matter. "

"Haven't we, though!" said Wibberly. "We aren't going to have a fellowput over our heads against our will--at any rate, not without having aword in the matter. "

"What can you do?" asked Coates. 

"We can resign, I suppose?" said Tucker. 

"Oh, yes!" said Crossfield. "And suppose Paddy took you at your word, my boy? Sad thing for Welch's that would be!"

"I don't know why you choose to make a beast of yourself whenever Ispeak, " said Tucker, angrily; "I've as much right--"

"Shut up, Tucker, for goodness' sake!" said Bloomfield; "don't begin byquarrelling. "

"Well, then, what does he want to cheek me for?" demanded Tucker. "He'sa stuck-up schoolhouse prig, that's what he is!"

"And if I only had the flow of costermonger's talk which some peoplepossess--" began Crossfield. 

"Are you going to shut up or not?" demanded Bloomfield. 

"Hullo! you aren't captain yet, old man!" replied the irrepressibleCrossfield; "but if you want to know, I am going to shut up now till Iwant to speak again. "

"We might get up a petition to the doctor, anyhow, " suggested Game, returning to the subject; "he'd have to take notice of that. "

"What will you say in the petition?" asked Porter. 

"Oh! easy enough that. Say we don't consider Riddell fit to be captain, and we'd sooner have some one else. "

"Better say we'd sooner have Bloomfield at once, " said Wibberly. 

"No; please don't mention my name, " said Bloomfield. 

"Wouldn't the best thing be to send Riddell back with a label, `Declined, with thanks, ' pinned on his coat-tail?" suggested Crossfield. 

"Yes; and add, `Try again, Paddy, '" said Coates, laughing. 

"And just mention no schoolhouse snobs are wanted, " said Tucker. 

"And suggest, mildly, that a nice, clever, amiable, high-principledWelcher like Tom Tucker would be acceptable, " added Crossfield. 

"Look here, " said Tucker, very red in the face, advancing towards histormentor, "I've stood your impudence long enough, you cad, and I won'tstand any more. "

"Sit down, then, " replied Crossfield, cheerfully, "plenty of forms. "

"Look here, you fellows, " said Bloomfield again, "for goodness' sakeshut up. Have it out afterwards if you like, but don't fight here. "

"I don't mind where I have it out, " growled Tucker, "but I'll teach himto cheek me, see if I don't. "

So saying, much to the relief of every one, he turned on his heel andleft the room. 

After this the discussion again got round to Riddell, and the questionof a petition was revived. 

"It would be quite easy to draw something up that would say what we wantto say and not give offence to any one, " said Ashley. 

"But what do you want to say?" asked Fairbairn. "If you want to tellthe doctor he's wrong, and that we are the people to set him right, Idon't see how you can help offending him. "

"That's not what we want to say at all, " said Game. "We want to saythat the captain of Willoughby has always been a fellow who was good allround, and we think the new captain ought to be of the same sort for thesake of the school. "

"Hear, hear, " said one or two of Parrett's house; "what could be betterthan that?"

"Well, " said Porter, "I don't see much difference between saying thatand telling the doctor he doesn't know what he's about. "

"Of course _you_ say so--that's your schoolhouse prejudice, " repliedWibberly. 

"It's nothing of the sort, " said Fairbairn, warmly; "you know that aswell as I do, Wibberly. "

"I know it is, " retorted Wibberly; "you'd put up with anybody as long ashe wasn't a Parrett fellow. "

And so the wrangle went on; and at the end of it the company was as nearagreeing as they had been at the beginning. 

Finally one or two of the schoolhouse fellows, such as Fairbairn, Coates, and Porter, withdrew, and the Parrett faction, having it thenpretty much their own way, drew up the following petition:

"We the undersigned monitors respectfully hope you will reconsider yourdecision as to the New Captain. The captain has hitherto always been an`all-round man, ' and we think it would be best for the discipline of theschool to have a fellow of the same sort now. We wish to say nothingagainst Riddell except that we do not think he is the best fellow forthe position. We hope you will excuse us for stating our opinion. "

To this extraordinary document all the monitors of Parrett's and Welch'shouses present put their names, as well as Gilks and one or two othersof the schoolhouse, and after deciding not to present it till next day, by which time it was hoped other signatures might be procured, theaugust assembly broke up. 

The reign of Riddell had not, to say the least of it, openedauspiciously as far as his fellow-monitors were concerned. And outsidethat body, in Willoughby at large, things did not look much morepromising. 

The feeling in Parrett's house was of course one of unmingled wrath andmutiny. When once the heads of the house were known to have declared sounmistakably against the new captain, it was not much to be wondered atthat the rank and file followed their lead in a still more demonstrativemanner. 

It happened that Parson and his friends, Telson (who, though aschoolhouse boy, seemed to live most of his life in Parrett's), King, Wakefield, and Lawkins, had planned a little expedition up the riverbetween third school and "call-over" that afternoon, and the presentstate of affairs in the school formed a rather lively topic ofdiscussion for these worthies as they pulled the Parrett's "Noah'sArk"--by which complimentary title the capacious boat devoted to the useof the juniors of the house was known--lazily up on the tide towardsBalsham. 

The river was pretty full, as usual at that time of day, and as one formwhich the wrath of the youthful Parretts took was to insult, and ifopportunity arose, to run down the craft of either of the other houses, the discussion on the condition of Willoughby was relieved by more thanone lively incident. 

"Think of that chap being captain, " said Parson, standing up on the backseat, with the rudder-lines in his hands so as to command a good view ofthe stream ahead. "He couldn't row as well as old Bosher there. "

As "old Bosher" was at that moment engaged in super-human efforts tokeep his balance with one hand, and extricate his oar, which hadfeathered two feet under the surface of the water, with the other, thisillustration was particularly effective and picturesque. 

"Oh, he's an awful cad, " said Wakefield, who was rowing bow. "Hereported me to Wyndham last term for letting off crackers in bed. "

"What a beastly shame!" was the sympathising chorus. 

"And you know--" added King. 

But as Bosher fell rather violently backward into his lap at thisinstant, and let his oar go altogether, what King was going to say didnot come out. 

After a vast amount of manoeuvring, back-watering, shouting, andreaching to recover the lost oar, the voyage proceeded. 

They had not proceeded far when the racing-boat of their house, mannedby Bloomfield, Game, Tipper, and Ashley, and coached from the bank byMr Parrett himself, spun past them in fine style and at a great rate. As became loyal Parretts, the juniors pulled into the bank to let thefour-oar pass, and, not content with this act of homage, theyvolunteered a round of vehement applause into the bargain. 

"Bravo! Well rowed, our house! Two to one on Parrett's! Three cheersfor Bloomfield! Three cheers for the captain! Hooroo!"

With this gratifying salute the boat darted out of sight round the bend, leaving the juniors once more to continue on their festive way. 

"Isn't old Bloomfield a stunner?" said Lawkins. "He's the sort offellow for captain! Not that schoolhouse idiot, Riddell. "

"Easy all there about the schoolhouse, " shouted down Telson from hisplace at stroke. "I'll fight you if you say it again. "

"Hurrah! let's land and have a mill!" cried King. "I back you, Telson, old man. "

"Oh, I didn't mean to cheek you, Telson, " said Lawkins, humbly. "I'llapologise, you know. "

"Jolly good job, " said Telson, grandly, "or I'd have licked you. "

"All the same, " said Lawkins, "old Bloomfield's--"

"Look out now!" suddenly broke in Parson, who had been gradually gettingexcited where he stood; "there's the Welchers coming! Pull hard, youfellows, or they'll cut us out. Now then! Row, Bosher, can't you, youold cow? Yah! hoo! Welchers ahoy!" he cried, raising his voice intones of derisive defiance. "Yah! boo! herrings and dough-nuts, jollycowards, daren't wait for us! Booh, funk-its!"

With such taunts the Hector of Parrett's endeavoured to incite the enemyto battle. And the enemy, if truth must be told, needed very littlepersuasion, especially as the crew in question consisted of Cusack, Pilbury, and the three other ill-starred victim of the raid of two daysago. 

They lay on their oars and waited for the foe to come up, Cusackshouting meanwhile, "Who'd be afraid of a pack of thieves like you! _I_wouldn't! I dare you to land and fight us! Dare you to run into us!Dare you to stand still till we lick you! Dare you to do anything butsteal other fellows' grub! Ye-ow!"

"Now, you fellows, " cried Parson, "put it on. "

A few strokes brought the two boats level, and then, as they lay side byside at oar's distance, ensued a notable and tremendous splashing match, which was kept up with terrific vigour on both sides, until not only wasevery combatant splashed through, but the two boats themselves werenearly swamped. 

Then, after either side had insultingly claimed the victory, the boatsseparated, and the dripping warriors parted with a final broadside. 

"There you are, take that, and go and tell the captain!" shouted Parson. 

"You wouldn't dare do it if Bloomfield was captain, " retorted theWelchers. "We'll have him captain, then see how you'll smile! Yah!bah!"

And, amid terrific cat-calling on either side, the crews parted. 

This last taunt was a sore one for the young Parretts. It had neveroccurred to them that Bloomfield, if he were captain, might perhapsspoil their sport more than Riddell. But it was only a passingannoyance. After all they were Parretts, and Bloomfield was their man, whether he spoiled their sport or not. Telson had no objection to thissentiment as long as no one presumed "to cheek the schoolhouse" inuttering it. Whenever that was done he insisted on his unalterabledetermination to fight the offender unless he swallowed his words, whichthe offender usually did. 

The tide was getting slack, and it was time for them to turn if theywere to be in for "call-over. " Just, however, as they were about to doso, a shout behind attracted them, and they became aware of anotherfour-oared boat approaching with the schoolhouse flag in the prow. Itcame along at a fair pace, but with nothing like the style which hadmarked the Parretts' boat. 

The crew consisted of Fairbairn, Porter, Coates, and Gilks, withCrossfield steering: the first time a complete schoolhouse crew hadappeared on the river this year. 

The blood of the young Parretts was up, and the credit of their housewas in question. 

"Put it on now, " said Parson to his men, as the schoolhouse boat cameup. "Show 'em what you can do! Now then, slide into it! Race 'em!"

And the young heroes laid into their work and made Noah's Ark forgealong at an unwonted pace. Parson busily encouraged them, varying hisexhortations by occasional taunts addressed to the other boat. 

"Now then, " he shouted, "two to one on us. Come on, you there, jollyschoolhouse louts--"

"Parson, I'll fight you if you say it again, " interposed Telson by wayof parenthesis. 

"Oh, beg pardon, old man. Pull away, you fellows! Parretts for ever!No Riddell for us! Three cheers for Bloomfield! You're gaining, youfellows. Oh, well pulled indeed our boat!"

The schoolhouse boat had slackened speed, and paddling gently alongside, was taking careful note of these audacious youngsters, who, puffing andplunging along, fully believed they were beating the picked four of therival house by their own prowess. 

The big boys seemed amused on the whole, and good-humouredly kept up thesemblance of a race for about half a mile, taking care to give thechallenging crew a wide berth. 

At last, after about ten minutes had been spent in this way, and whenthe young champions were all, except Parson, fairly exhausted, Crossfield took out his watch and said to his crew, winking as he didso, "Time we turned, you fellows; it's five o'clock. Easy all, pull bowside! back water, stroke!"

And so saying, the schoolhouse boat suddenly turned round and startedoff at a smart pace down stream, where it was soon out of reach of theparting taunts and opprobrious noises which Parson, for the credit ofhis house, continued to hurl at its crew till they were beyond earshot. 

Then it suddenly began to occur to these elated young navigators that ifit had been time for the four-oar to turn three minutes ago it waspossibly time for them to turn also. 

"What did he say the time was?" asked King. 

"Five o'clock!" said Lawkins. 

"Five o'clock! and call-over is at 5:20! We can't do it in the time!"exclaimed Parson, aghast. 

"My eye, what a row there'll be, " groaned Telson. "I've been late forcall-over twice this week already, and I'm certain to get reported now!"

"So shall I be, " said Bosher. 

"It's all a vile dodge of those schoolhouse cads, " exclaimed King. "Imean, " said he (perceiving that Telson was about to make a remark), "ofthose cads. They did it on purpose to make us late. I see it all now. And then they'll report us. Ugh! did you ever know such blackguards?"

The discovery was too late to be any good--that is, as far as the hopeof reaching Willoughby before call-over was concerned. However, itwarned them the sooner they turned now the sooner they would get back atall. So they turned viciously and started homewards. 

The rowers were all too tired and enraged to talk much, and the journeydown stream was silent and gloomy. They heard, about a mile from home, the school bell ringing for call-over, and groaned inwardly whenpresently it ceased, and they knew their names were being called overand not one of them there to answer. Parson alone made any attempt tokeep up the drooping spirits of his crew. 

"Never fear. We'll pay them out, you see. And if they do report uswe'll only get impots. The beasts! I wish we'd run into them anddrowned them all! so I do. "

At this point the speaker became aware of an outrigger skiff rapidlyapproaching them. The rower of course had his back turned, andevidently not expecting anything ahead, was steering himself "over histoes, " as the term is--that is by some landmark behind the boat. Who hewas Parson could not make out, but he wore a light-blue ribbon on hisstraw, and that was enough. Light-blue was the schoolhouse colour. Here was a chance of paying out of the enemy, anyhow!

So he ordered his men to "easy all" and allow the unconscious sculler tocome close up. Then when he was within a few yards he started up, andwith a wild shout of, "Yah booh, cad!" gave the signal to his crew topull on, and brought his boat close alongside the skiff. The rower, startled by the sudden shout, turned quickly round. 

Horror of horrors! It was Mr Parrett himself!

There was no time to do anything. At the instant he turned, his leftscull came into violent contact with the oars of the Noah's Ark, and wasjerked from his hand, and at the same time the light boat gave a violentlurch over and capsized, sending her occupant headlong into the river!

The small boys, pale with fright and dazed by the suddenness of theaccident, sat for a moment unable to move or cry out. Then by a suddenwild impulse Parson sprang boldly into the water, followed in a secondor two first by Telson, then by Lawkins. The other three held to theoars and waited where they were. 

The tide was running down at a good pace, and the river was fairly wide, but there was not much danger to any of the immersed ones. AllWilloughby boys could swim, and as Mr Parrett had taught most of themto do so himself, he hardly stood in need of the help of his threepupils. A few strokes brought them all to the bank in safety. 

An uncomfortable moment ensued. Mr Parrett said nothing to the threedripping boys who stood before him, but called to the boys in the boatto row in, bringing the skiff with them. 

All the while this was being done, Telson and Parson looked despairinglyat one another, and darted scared looks at Mr Parrett. He appeared notto notice them, but stood impatiently waiting for the boats. 

"Is the scull broken?" he called out as they approached. 

"No, sir, " said Wakefield. 

The skiff was put in close to the bank, and a brief examination showedthat it was not damaged. Mr Parrett got into it, and without saying aword began to push off. 

"Please, sir, " cried Parson at this point, feeling that his last chancewas going, "I'm so sorry. We didn't know it was you, sir. It was allmy fault. "

"No, sir, " shouted Telson, "it was all my fault. We're awfully sorry, sir. "

Mr Parrett took no notice of these protestations, but said, quietly, "You'd better get home quickly and change your things. "

So saying he sculled off, with a face hardly less puzzled than the smallscared faces which, after watching him go, turned dismally to their ownunlucky Noah's Ark. 

On their arrival at the school some half-hour later, Parson, Telson, Bosher, King, and Lawkins were informed that, having been reported forbeing absent at call-over, the captain wished to see them in his studyafter breakfast the next morning. 

Later on that same evening another notice reached them that they werewanted in Mr Parrett's room at once. 

CHAPTER SIX. 

BREAKERS AHEAD. 

Mr Parrett was a popular master at Willoughby. He was an old Cambridge"blue, " and it was to his influence and example that the school ingeneral, and Parrett's house in particular, were chiefly indebted fortheir excellence in all manly sports. He was the most patient oftrainers, and the most long-suffering of "coaches. " Nearly all hisspare time was given up to the public service. Every afternoon youwould be sure to find him in his flannels running along the bank besidesome boat, or standing to be bowled at by aspiring young cricketers inthe meadow, or superintending a swimming party up at the Willows. 

Boys didn't give Mr Parrett credit for all the self-denial he reallyunderwent; for he had a way of seeming to enjoy even the drudgery of hisself-imposed work, and it rarely occurred even to the most hopeless of"duffers" to imagine that all the trouble spent over him was anythingbut a pleasure to the master who spent it. 

Mr Parrett had his reward, however, in the good will of the boysgenerally, which he prized highly, and nowhere was he more popular thanamong the juniors of his own house. 

What was their dismay, therefore, at the accident of that unluckyafternoon, and with what doleful faces did they present themselves in amelancholy procession at the door of his room at the appointed hour!

"Come in, " said Mr Parrett, who was still in his flannels, and had notquite done tea. "Oh, you are the boys that I met on the river thisafternoon. All except one belonging to my house, I see. "

"Yes, sir, " exclaimed Telson, who was the distinguished exception, "they're all Parretts except me, and it was all my fault, sir, andI'm--"

"No, " interrupted Parson, "it was all my fault; I was steering. "

"It was all our faults, " said Lawkins. 

"Oh, " said Mr Parrett, who could not help looking a little amused atthe eager faces of the young culprits. "Perhaps it was my fault for notlooking where I was coming to. "

"Oh, sir, " said Parson, "that wouldn't have been any good. We ran youdown on purpose. "

"Eh?" said Mr Parrett, not quite sure whether he had heard correctly. 

"That is, we didn't know it was you, sir; we thought it was aschoolhouse--" (here Telson looked threatening)--"I mean we thought itwas some one else. We wouldn't have done it if we thought it was you, sir--indeed we wouldn't. "

"No, sir, that we wouldn't, " chimed in the chorus. 

"And who did you think it was, pray?" inquired Mr Parrett. 

"A schoolhouse fellow, " replied Parson, avoiding Telson's glances. 

"Which schoolhouse boy?" asked the master. 

"Any one, sir. It didn't matter much which. "

"Indeed. And what has the schoolhouse done to you?" said Mr Parrett, leaning back in his chair and pushing his plate away. 

It wasn't an easy question, but Parson felt something ought to be said. 

"Some of them are rather cads, sir, " he said. 

("Parson, " whispered Telson. "I'll fight you when you get outside. ")

"I mean, sir, " said Parson, hurriedly, "that is--(I beg pardon, Telson, old man, I didn't mean)--they don't like us, and--"

"And we don't like them, " said Lawkins. 

"And you think they ought to like you?" asked Mr Parrett, severely. 

This was a poser. The Parrett juniors had never asked themselves thequestion before. 

"Now listen to me, " said Mr Parrett. "I'm angry with you, and I'mgoing to punish you. I am not angry with you for capsizing me thisafternoon. You did it by mistake, you say, and no harm was done. AndI'm not going to punish you for being out late, for that the captainwill do. But boys who make nuisances of themselves and then complainthat other boys don't like them are not to be put up with in Willoughby. You five have had a lesson already. You might have caused a much worseaccident than you did by your folly. You may be thankful you did not. For a week neither of you is to go on to the river at all, and afterthat till the end of the term you will only be allowed to go with thecaptain's permission, or in the company of a senior. You can go. "

The party turned to obey, when Mr Parrett added, "Three of you, Telson, Parson, and Lawkins, remain a moment. "

The other two went off, leaving their three comrades standing at the endof the table, wondering what on earth was coming next. 

Mr Parrett's manner changed as he turned to them. He becameembarrassed, and spoke almost nervously. 

"You three, " he said, "jumped in after me this afternoon, did you not?"

"Yes, please, sir, " said Telson; "Parson was first, sir. "

Mr Parrett rose from his seat, and, without saying a word, shook handswith each one of them, greatly to their astonishment and confusion. 

"You can go now, " said the master, when the ceremony was concluded;"good-night, boys. "

"Good-night, sir, " said they, and filed out of the room. 

It was some time before Parson and Telson, as they walked slowly backalong the passage, could find words suitable to the occasion. ThenTelson said, "Well, that was a rum thing of him to do!"

"What did he mean?" asked Parson. 

"Goodness knows. But, I say, it's a jolly soak being stopped the river, though. "

"Yes, and having to get a `permit' when the time is up. I'd sooner notgo on than beg a `permit' of the captain. "

"I wonder what he'll say to us to-morrow, " said Telson. "He won't lickus, eh?"

"He'd better not, " said Parson. "You and I could lick him easy. "

"I suppose he'll give us a howling impot. I say I'm getting fagged ofimpots. I've had four this week. "

"I've had three, " sighed Telson. "Heigho! Willoughby's going to thedogs. I've a good mind to cut the whole concern. "

And so in rather desponding mood the two friends separated, and Telsonhad an exciting chase across the quadrangle to avoid two monitors whowere prowling about there (as he concluded) for the express purpose of"potting" him. 

In this, however, he was mistaken. The two monitors were Gilks of theschoolhouse and Silk of Welch's, who were taking the air this hot summerevening, and thinking and talking of anything but Master Telson. 

"I tell you, " said Gilks, "I detest the fellow. "

"You detest such a lot of fellows, Gilks, " said Silk. 

"I know I do, " said Gilks, "but I hate Riddell more than the lot puttogether. "

"I should have thought he was rather an inoffensive duffer, " suggestedSilk. 

"That's just the worst of it. I'd give anything to catch him out inanything that wasn't quite square, just to pay him out for his sickeningpriggishness. Why, " he exclaimed, with increasing anger in his tone, "what do you think he did the other day, long before he was captain, orhad any pretence to give himself airs? He pulled me up before all thefellows for--well, for using--"

"For swearing?" said Silk. 

"Yes, if you like. For swearing. What business is it of his what Isay? I should like to know. "

"Usen't Wyndham to be down on fellows for swearing too?" asked Silk. 

"Yes, he was, " said Gilks (who had good reason to know); "but he had aright to do it. This cub hasn't. "

"What did Riddell say?"

"What did he say? He said it didn't make what I said any better worthhearing for sticking in an oath, and that-- Oh, I don't know whatprecious impudence he didn't give me. "

"Ha, ha, " said Silk, "it wasn't bad. But I agree with you, the fellowis a prig--"

"I know I mean to make a stand now, " said Gilks. "He shan't stick uphis sanctimonious nose over us all, now he's captain, if I can help it. "

"Why, what will you do?" asked Silk. 

"Do! I'll punch his head the first time he dare lecture me. "

"My dear fellow, " said Silk, "don't be such a fool. You won't do a bitof good by that. If you do want to pay him out, pay him out in his owncoin. "

"How do you mean?" inquired Gilks. 

"I mean, keep a sharp lookout till you catch his holiness tripping. "

"But the beggar never does trip. He's so vilely careful, he never givesa chance, " growled Gilks. 

"Awfully uncivil of him, when he knows how grateful we should be tohim, " said Silk, laughing. "Never mind, old man, keep in with him ifyou can. Something's sure to turn up. He won't suspect you, as you'rein the schoolhouse; and we ought to be able to manage to put a spoke inhis wheel somehow. "

"Wish you may do it, " said Gilks. "Anyhow, I dare say you are right;it's no use flaring up too soon, if there is a chance of doing him. Bythe way, Fairbairn's pretty nearly as bad as Riddell; they're a pair, you know. "

"Yes, but Fairbairn's in the boat, " said Silk. 

"So he is; and what's more, he's got a spite against me, and wants toturn me out of it. "

"Why?"

"He says I don't do enough work. I should like to know how a fellow isto work behind a sanctimonious ass like him?"

"I hear the schoolhouse boat isn't a bad one, even without Wyndham, "said Silk. 

"Pretty fair. But if I'm in it I'll see it doesn't win, " said Gilks. 

"What a nice boy you are, to be sure! I suppose you've a bet onParrett's, like me?"

"No, I haven't, " said Gilks, "but I want it to win all the same, becauseof Bloomfield. If Parrett's gets to the head of the river, there's allthe better chance of getting Bloomfield for captain next term; andthings would be far pleasanter then. "

"Yes. I don't suppose Bloomfield's very particular, " said Silk. 

"Not he. You can make him do what you like. He's not all the notionsof his own that the Reverend Riddell has, hang him!"

"Well, old man, " said Silk, "as I said before, you're a nice boy, and asweet companion for a tender youth like me. Ha, ha! Good-night. Areyou one of the deputation that's going to present the petition in themorning?"

"Yes, I am, " said Gilks. 

"Take my advice and back out of it. It won't come to anything, and ifyou're not mixed up in it our pious friends will think you are one ofthem, and that'll pay. Do you twig? Good-night. You _are_ a niceboy!"

So saying these two worthies separated. 

Gilks acted on his friend's advice, and contrived to be absent afterchapel next morning, when it was proposed to present the petition to thedoctor. He managed to invent some excuse for his desertion which madeit appear it was unavoidable. Nevertheless it was a good dealcomplained of, because he had been the only representative of theschoolhouse who had promised to go with the others to the doctor. 

However it was decided not to postpone the ceremony any further. As itwas, one or two were beginning to have their doubts as to its wisdom, and Game and those like him, who were the prime movers in the matter, began to fear the whole thing might fall through. 

So, directly after morning chapel, the deputation, consisting of three, marched boldly to the doctor's library and knocked at the door. 

"Come in, " said Dr Patrick. 

He was surprised to see three monitors obey the invitation. It was veryrarely that a petition was presented from the school to the head masterat Willoughby. Once, some years ago, a petition signed by the entireschool, from the captain down to the junior fag, praying for a holidayin honour of an old Willoughbite having led the British troops tovictory in a great battle, had been presented and granted. And oncesince then, a petition from the monitors of each house requesting thatthe head of each house might be allowed to use the cane when necessary, instead of the captain of the school only, had been presented anddeclined. 

Now came a third petition, signed by certain monitors of two houses, asking the doctor to withdraw one captain and substitute another. 

"What is it?" asked the head master. 

"A petition, sir, " said Game, handing the momentous document in. 

The doctor opened it and glanced at it with a puzzled look, which soondarkened into a frown. 

"What is all this?" he asked, looking up. 

His aspect was not promising. Nevertheless it was necessary for someone to speak, and Game therefore blurted out, "We don't think Riddellwill make a good captain, sir, and--" and here stopped. 

"And what, sir?" demanded the doctor. 

"And, " said Game, in rather a faltering voice, "we thought you would notbe angry if we petitioned you about it. "

"Do you speak for yourself, Game, " said the doctor, "or for others?"

"For the monitors, sir; that is, for those who have signed that paper. "

The doctor folded up the petition and handed it back to Game withoutreading it. 

"I am glad you have told me what it is all about, " said he, sternly, "intime to prevent my reading either the petition or the names attached. It does not do you credit as monitors, and I hope you will soon see thematter in the same light. I did not expect it of you, but I regret itless on your account than on account of the school, to whom you have seta bad example. You may go. "

The doctor spoke in tones of unwonted anger, not unmixed with scorn. Herarely "flared up, " but when he did it was always uncomfortable forthose against whom his wrath was roused. 

The deputation slunk off sheepishly, carrying their petition with them, and too glad to get out of the angry presence of the head master tothink of anything else. 

The doctor may have been right, and probably was right in thus summarilyextinguishing the petition and the petitioners. But he had done it in amanner which was hardly calculated to smooth matters. 

Indeed, when the deputation reported their bad success to the monitorswho awaited them, the general feeling was far more one of anger at beingsnubbed than of repentance for having done a foolish thing. 

"If Paddy had only taken the trouble to read the thing through, " saidAshley, "and honour us with one or two reasons for not doing what weasked, it wouldn't have been so bad. "

"As it is he's as good as told us to mind our own business and he'llmind his, " said Tipper, little thinking how exactly he had described thecase. 

"If we're not to be allowed to say a word about the management of theschool, " said Game, "I don't see what right he has to expect us to dohis work for him, and keep order. "

"Oh, it won't do to resign or anything of that sort, " said Ashley. "That would be like funking it altogether. "

"He'll soon find his mistake out, never fear, " said another. "He won'tlisten to us, but he can't help believing his own eyes. "

"Yes, it can't go on for long, " said Tipper. "Riddell's bound to showthat he's not up to his work sooner or later, and I won't interfere toprevent it. "

"Meanwhile, " said Game, who of all the malcontents was the most honest, "what's to become of Willoughby? We must keep some sort of order, whoever is captain. "

"Why, whatever authority can we have when the most we can do is toreport fellows to that milksop?" said Tipper. 

"I'll tell you what, " said Ashley, "if we're compelled to _call_ Riddellcaptain, there's nothing to prevent us considering another fellow so. "

"What do you mean?" asked some one. 

"He means, " said Game, "and it's not half a bad idea, that if Bloomfieldwill help us to keep order, we can consider him captain whether he'scalled so or not. If once the fellows know they'll get reported to him, we shall have some sort of authority. "

"Of course, " said Bloomfield, who had not yet spoken, "I'll do my bestto keep order and all that; but as I'm not captain, it's no use topretend being it. "

"Oh, we'll see about that, " said Ashley. "If you choose to work for theschool after what has happened, all I can say is you deserve to bebacked up, and I'll back you up for one. "

"So will I, " said Wibberly. 

Bloomfield could not resist flattery. As soon as it was represented tohim that the hope of Willoughby centred in him, and that he was acting abeautiful and Christian part in still taking an interest in its welfareafter the way he had been treated, he felt as if he really ought to meethis admirers half-way. 

"Already a lot of the kids consider you as captain, " said Game. "Didn'tyou hear a boatful of them cheering you yesterday?"

"Yes, " said Bloomfield, "I heard that. "

"Very well, they're much more likely to keep order for you than for thatother fellow. We'll try it anyhow. "

"I know a lot of the schoolhouse monitors think just the same as we do, "said Tipper, "but they're so precious jealous for their house. They'dsooner stick to Riddell than allow a Parrett's fellow to be cock of theschool. "

"A Parrett's fellow is cock of the school all the same, " said Wibberly. "I wish the regatta was over. That will put things right. "

"Yes; when once Parrett's boat is at the head of the river theschoolhouse won't have much to crow for, " said Ashley. 

"For all that, " replied Bloomfield, "they seem to be grinding a bit withthe crew they have got. "

"Let them grind, " said Game, laughing. "I'd as soon back Welch's boatas theirs. Fairbairn's the only man that does any work, and he's noform at all. Why don't they put the new captain in the boat, I wonder?"

The bare idea was sufficient to set the company laughing, in the midstof which the assembly-dispersed. 

"By the way, " said Game to Ashley, as they went into the "Big, " "to-night is the opening meeting of the School Parliament. I mean topropose Bloomfield for president; will you second it?"

"Rather, " said Ashley. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

THE NEW CAPTAIN ENTERS ON HIS DUTIES. 

The morning that witnessed the collapse of the famous Monitors' Petitionhad not been idly spent by the new captain. He had made the worstpossible preparation for his new duties by lying awake half the night, brooding over his difficulties and working himself into a state ofnervous misery very unlike what one would expect of the captain of agreat public school. 

What worried him was not so much that he felt himself unpopular, or thathe knew all Willoughby was in arms against him. That wasn't cheerful, certainly, or precisely solacing to a fellow's self-esteem; but it wasnot nearly so disheartening as the feeling that he himself was unequalto cope with the difficulties he would have to face. How could he copewith them? He had never succeeded yet in keeping Telson, his own fag, in order. How was he to expect to administer discipline to all thescapegraces of Willoughby? It would be bad enough, even if the monitorsas a body were working with him, but when he was left almost single-handed, as seemed probable, what chance was there? Whatever would he dosupposing a boy was reported to him for some offence, such as going outof bounds or--

By the way! And here a horrible thought flashed across his mind. Hehad been so flurried last night with one thing and another that he hadhardly noticed a message sent him after call-over by the Register Clerk. But it occurred to him now that it was about some boys who had notanswered to their names. 

He got out of bed with a groan and searched the mantelpiece for thenote. Ah! here it was:

"Co. Fr. P. M. , Telson (S. H. ), Bosher, King, Lawkins, Parson (P), Abs. Go Capt. 8½ Sa. (Telson 2, Bosher 1, Parson 2. )"

After a great deal of puzzling and cogitation Riddell managed totranslate this lucid document into ordinary English as follows:

"Call-Over, Friday evening, Telson (schoolhouse), Bosher, King, Lawkins, Parson (Parrett's), absent. To go to the captain at half-past eight onSaturday. (Telson has already been absent twice this week, Bosher once, Parson twice. )" And with the discovery the unhappy captain found hisworst fears realised. 

Whatever would he do? It was now half-past five. In three hours theywould be here. What would Wyndham have done? Caned them, no doubt. Riddell had no cane. Ruler? He might break one of their ringers, orthey might resist; or worse still baffle him with some ingenious excusewhich he would not know how to deal with. 

He sat by his bed staring hopelessly at the paper and wishing himselfanywhere but head of the school--and then as no new light appeared todawn on the question, and as going back to bed would be a farce, heproceeded to dress. 

He had just completed his toilet when he heard some one moving in thenext study. 

"There's Fairbairn getting up, " he said to himself. "I wonder if hecould help me?"

He thought he could. And yet, under the nervous exterior of this boythere lurked a certain pride which held him back from acting on theimpulse. After all, if he was to do the work, why should he try toshunt part of his responsibility on to another?

So, though he went to his friend's study, he said nothing about thebatch of juniors from whom he expected a morning call. 

Fairbairn was arraying himself in his boating things, and greeted hisfriend cheerily. 

"Hullo, Riddell, here's an early start for you!"

"Yes, " said Riddell; "I couldn't sleep very well, so I thought I mightas well get up. "

"Best thing for you. But why haven't you your flannels on?"

"I'm not going out, " said Riddell. "Besides, I don't believe I haveflannels, " added he. 

"What, a Willoughby captain and no flannels! You'll have to get a suitat once, do you hear? But, I say, why don't you come down to the riverwith Porter and me? We're going to have a little practice spin, and youcould steer us. It would do you more good than sticking indoors. Comealong. "

Riddell protested he would rather not, and that he couldn't steer; butFairbairn pooh-poohed both objections, and finally carried off his manto the river, where his unwonted appearance in the stern of theschoolhouse pair-oar caused no little astonishment and merriment amongthe various early visitors who usually frequented the waters of theCraydle. 

Despite these unflattering remarks, and despite the constant terror hewas in of piloting his boat into the bank, or running foul of otherboats, Riddell decidedly enjoyed his little outing, the more so as theexercise and occupation drove away entirely for a time all thoughts ofthe coming visit of the ill-behaved juniors. 

But as soon as he returned to the school the prospect of this ordealbegan again to haunt him, and spoilt morning chapel for him completely. 

As he stood during the service in his captain's place he could notprevent his eye wandering hurriedly down the ranks of boys opposite andwondering how many of them he would be called upon to interview in hisstudy before the term was over. As he reached the end of the array hiseye rested on Telson close to the door, talking and laughing behind hishand with Parson, who listened in an unconcerned way, and looked abouthim as if he felt himself to be the monarch of all he surveyed. Thesewere two of the boys who would wait upon him in his study immediatelyafter prayers! Riddell turned quite miserable at the idea. 

Prayers ended at last, and while the other monitors repaired to theSixth Form room to discuss the presentation of the petition as narratedin our last chapter, Riddell walked dejectedly to his study and preparedto receive company. 

No one came for a long time, and Riddell was beginning to hope that, after all, the dreaded interview was not to come off, or that there wasa mistake somewhere, and some one else was to deal with the culpritsinstead of himself, when a scuttling of footsteps down the passage madehis blood run cold and his heart sink into his boots. 

"I _must_ be cool, " he said to himself, fiercely, as a knock sounded atthe door, "or I shall make a fool of myself. Come in. "

In response to this somewhat tremulous invitation, Telson, Parson, Bosher, Lawkins, King, trooped into his study, the picture ofsatisfaction and assurance, and stood lounging about the room with theirhands in their pockets as though curiosity was the sole motive of theirvisit. 

Riddell, while waiting for them, had hastily considered what he ought tosay or do. But now, any ideas he ever had darted from his mind, and hegazed nervously at the small company. 

"Oh!" said he at length, breaking silence by a tremendous effort, andconscious that he was looking as confused as he felt, "I suppose you arethe boy--"

"Yes, " said Bosher, leaning complacently against the table and staringat a picture over the mantelpiece. 

"The boys who were late, " said Riddell, stammering. "Let me see. " Herehe took up the paper and began to read it over: "`Co. Pri. Telson(S. H. ). ' Ah, yes! Telson. You were late, weren't you? Why were youlate?"

A question like this was decidedly a novelty; Wyndham's formula hadinvariably been, "Telson, hold out your hand, " and then if Telson hadanything to remark he was at liberty to do so. But to be thus invitedto make excuses was an unexpected treat which these cunning juniors werequite sharp enough to jump at. 

"Oh, you know, " began Telson, "it wasn't our fault. We were up-streamin the Ark, and meant to be back all right, only the schoolhouse boatoverhauled us, and we had to race them a bit--didn't we, you fellows?"

"Rather, " said Parson; "and a spanking race it was. We held up to themall down the Willow Reach, and were just collaring them for the finishup to Balsham Weir, when the beasts pulled in and funked it. "

"And then, of course, we couldn't get back in time, " said Lawkins. "Wewere jolly fagged--weren't we, you fellows?--and it was all a plant ofthose schoolhouse cads. "

"Fight you!" said Telson, menacingly. 

"Oh, beg pardon, old man, didn't mean. They ran us up on purpose tomake us late. You ask them. It was a beastly low trick!"

"And then coming back, " continued Telson, "we ran down old Parrett inhis skiff and spilt him, and we had to fish him out--didn't we, youchaps?--and that made us late. You ask Parrett; he's potted us for it, last night. "

Riddell listened to all this in a bewildered way, not knowing what tomake of it. If the boys' story was correct, there certainly might besome force in their excuse. It would hardly be fair to punish them ifthey were decoyed out of their way by some seniors. And then, ofcourse, this story about Mr Parrett; they would never make up a storylike that. And if it was true--well, he did not see how they could havedone otherwise than stay and help him out of the water after capsizinghim into it. It really seemed to him as if these boys did not deserveto be punished. True, Telson and Parson had been twice late this week, but that was not what they were reported for now. The question was, were they to be chastised for this third offence or not?

"What did Mr Parrett do to you?" he asked presently. "Oh, " saidParson, gaily, fully taking in the situation so far, "he was down on ushot. He's stopped our going on the river a week, and then we've got toget a permit till the end of the term. Jolly hard lines it is, especially race term. I shan't be able to cox. Parrett's boat at theregatta. No more will young Telson cox the schoolhouse boat. You askParrett, " said he, in tones of manly appeal. 

"Then you mean Mr Parrett has already punished you?" asked Riddell. 

"Rather, " said Telson. "I'd sooner have had a licking any day than getstopped river-play. Wouldn't you, Parson?"

"I should think I would, " said Parson. 

"Well, " said Riddell, dubiously, "of course if Mr Parrett has alreadypunished you--"

"You ask him!" again said Parson. "You ask him if he's not stopped ourriver-play. Ah five of us! Mayn't go on at all for a week, and thenwe've got to get your permit. Isn't that what he said, you chaps?"

"Yes, " chimed in the "chaps, " in injured voices. 

"Well, then, " said Riddell, "as that is so, I think you can--that is, Iwish just to tell you--you--it mustn't occur again. "

"Oh, all right, " said Parson, making for the door. 

"And I hope, " began Riddell--

But what it was he hoped, his youthful audience did not remain to hear. They had vanished with amazing celerity, and the captain, as he walkedpensively up to the door and shut it, could hear them marching jauntilydown the passage shouting and laughing over their morning's adventures. 

A moment's reflection satisfied Riddell that he had been "done" by theseunscrupulous youngsters. He had let them off on their ownrepresentations, and without taking due care to verify their story. Andnow it would go out to all Willoughby that the new captain was a fool, and that any one who liked could be late for call-over if only he hadthe ingenuity to concoct a plausible story when he was reported. A nicebeginning this to his new reign! Riddell saw it all clearly now, whenit was too late. Why ever had he not seen it as clearly at the time?

Was it too late? Riddell went to the door again and looked down thepassage. The young malefactors were out of sight, but their footstepsand voices were still audible. Hadn't he better summon them back? Hadnot he better, at any cost to his own pride, own that he had made amistake, rather than let the discipline of Willoughby run down?

He took a few hurried steps in the direction of the voices, and was evenmaking up his mind to run, when it suddenly occurred to him, "What if, after all, their story _had_ been true, and the calling of them backshould be a greater mistake even than the letting of them off?"

This awkward doubt drove him back once more to his study, where, shutting the door, he flung himself into his chair in a state of abjectdespondency and shame. 

Twenty times he determined to go to the doctor at once, and refuse foran hour longer to play the farce of being captain of Willoughby. And asoften another spirit kept him back, and whispered to him that it wasonly the cowards who gave in at a single failure. 

From these unpleasant reflections the summons to first school was awelcome diversion, and he gladly shook off the captain for an hour, andfigured in his more congenial part of a scholar. But even here he wasnot allowed wholly to forget his new responsibilities. Nearly all thosearound him were fellow-monitors, who had just come smarting from thedoctor's summary rejection of their petition; and Riddell could tell bytheir angry looks and ill-tempered words that he, however innocent, wasthe object of their irritation. He had never been a favourite before, but it certainly was not pleasant to have to learn now by the mostunmistakable signs that he was downrightly unpopular and disliked bythose from whom he should have had his warmest backing up. 

And yet, strange to say, it was this sense of his own unpopularity whichmore than anything nerved him to a resolution to stick to his post, and, come what would of it, do his best to discharge his new unwelcome tasks. If only he could feel a little more sure of himself! But how was itlikely he could feel sure of himself after his lamentable failure of themorning?

But the lamentable failure of the morning, as it happened, was nothingto other failures speedily to follow on this same unlucky day. 

Scarcely was Riddell back in his study after first school, hoping for alittle breathing space in which to recover his fluttered spirits, whenGilks entered and said, "I say, there's a row going on in the Fourth. You'd better stop it, or the doctor will be down on us. "

And so saying he vanished, leaving the captain about as comfortable withthis piece of intelligence as he would have been with a bombshellsuddenly pitched into his study. 

A row in the Fourth! the headquarters of the Limpets, each one of whomwas a stronger man than he, and whom Wyndham himself had often been putto it to keep within bounds!

With an ominous shiver Riddell put on his cap and sallied out in thedirection of the Fourth. A man about to throw himself over a precipicecould hardly have looked less cheerful!

Gilks's report had certainly been well founded, for long before thecaptain reached his destination the roar of battle sounded up thepassage. It may have been an ordinary Limpet row, or it may have been aspecial diversion got up (with the connivance of one or two unfriendlymonitors) for the special benefit of the new captain. Be that as itmay, it was a disturbance calling for instant suppression, and the ideaof Riddell going to suppress it was ridiculous even to himself. 

He opened the door, unnoticed by the combatants within both on accountof the noise and the dust. It was impossible to tell what the fight wasabout; the blood on both sides was evidently up, and the battle, it wasclear, was anything but a mock one. Riddell stood there for some time abewildered and unrecognised spectator. It would be useless for him toattempt to make himself heard above all the din, and worse than uselessto attempt single-handed to interpose between the combatants. The onlything to do seemed to be to wait till the battle was over. But then, thought Riddell, what would be the use of interfering when it was allover? His duty was to stop it, and stop it he must!

With which resolve, and taking advantage of a momentary lull in theconflict, he advanced with a desperate effort towards a boy who appearedto be the leader of one of the two parties, and who was gesticulatingand shouting at the top of his voice to encourage his followers. Thischampion did not notice the captain as he approached, and when he did, he mistook him for one of the enemy, and sprang at him like a youngtiger, knocking him over just as the ranks once more closed, and thebattle began again. 

What might have been Riddell's fate it would be hard to say had not aloud shout of, "Man down there! Hold hard!" suddenly suspendedhostilities. 

Such a cry was never disregarded at Willoughby, even by the mostdesperate of combatants, and every one stood now impatiently where hewas, waiting for the obstruction to regain his feet. 

The spectacle which the new captain of Willoughby presented, as withscared face and dust-covered garment he rose slowly from the floor, wasstrange indeed. It was a second or two before any one recognised him, and then the boys seemed not to be sure whether it was not his ghost, somysteriously had he appeared in their midst, coming from no one knewwhere. 

As, however, the true state of affairs gradually dawned on them, a loudshout of laughter rose on every hand, and the quarrel was at onceforgotten in the merriment occasioned by this wonderful apparition. 

Riddell, pale and agitated, stood where he was as one in a dream, fromwhich he was only aroused by voices shouting out amid the laughter, "Hullo! where did you come from? What's the row? Look at him!"

At the same time fellows crowded round him and offered to brush himdown, accompanying their violent services with bursts of equally violentmerriment. 

With a hard effort Riddell shook himself free and stepped out of thecrowd. 

"Please let me go, " he said. "I just came to say there was too muchnoise, and--"

But the laughter of the Limpets drowned the rest, in the midst of whichhe retired miserably to the door and escaped. 

In the passage outside he met Bloomfield, with Wibberly and Game, hurrying to the scene of the riot. They scarcely deigned to recognisehim with anything more than a half-curious, half-contemptuous glance. 

"Some one must stop this row!" said Bloomfield to his companions as theypassed. "The doctor will be down on us. "

"You stop it, Bloomfield!" said Wibberly; "they'll shut up for _you_. "

This was all the unfortunate Riddell heard, except that in a few momentsthe uproar from the Fourth Form room suddenly ceased, and was notrenewed. 

"What did Bloomfield do this morning when he came into your room?" askedRiddell that evening of Wyndham junior, a Limpet in whom, for hisbrother's sake, the new captain felt a special interest, and whom heinvited as often as he liked to come and prepare his lessons with him. 

"Oh!" said Wyndham, who had been one of the combatants, "he gave Watkinsand Cattermole a hiding, and swore he'd allow no removes from theLimpets' eleven to the school second this term if there was any morerow. "

This reply by no means added to Riddell's comfort. 

"Gave Cattermole and Watkins a hiding. " Fancy _his_ attempting to giveCattermole and Watkins a hiding! And not only that, he had held outsome awful threat about Limpets' cricket, which appeared to have amagical effect. 

Fancy the effect of _his_ threatening to exclude a Limpet from thesecond-eleven--when it was all he knew that the school had a second-eleven!

The difficulties and perplexities which had loomed before him in themorning were closing around him now in grim earnest! The worst he hadfeared had happened, and more than the worst. It was now proved beyondall doubt that he was utterly incompetent. Would it not be sheermadness in him to attempt this impossible task a day longer?

The reader has no doubt asked the same question long ago. Of _course_it's madness of him to attempt it. A muff like Riddell never _could_ becaptain of a school, and it's all bosh to suppose he could be. But, mydear reader, a muff like Riddell _was_ the captain of a school; andwhat's more he didn't give it up even after the day's adventures justdescribed. 

Riddell was not perfect. I know it is an unheard-of thing for a goodboy in a story-book not to be perfect, and that is one reason whichconvinces me this story of mine must be an impossible one. Riddell wasnot perfect. He had a fault. Can you believe it--he had many faults?He even had a besetting sin, and that besetting sin was pride. Not thesort of pride that makes you consider yourself better than yourneighbours. Riddell really couldn't think that even had he wished it. But his pride was of that kind which won't admit of anybody to help it, which would sooner knock its head to bits against a stone wall than ownit can't get through it, and which can never bring itself to say "I ambeaten, " even when it is clear to all the world it is beaten. 

Pride had had a fall this day at any rate; but it had risen again morestubborn than ever; and if Riddell went to bed that night the mostunhappy boy in Willoughby, he went there also resolving more than everto remain its captain. 

Other events had happened that day which, one might suppose, should haveconvinced him he was attempting an impossibility. But these must bereserved for the next chapter. 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

THE WILLOUGHBY PARLIAMENT IN SESSION. 

The "Parliament" at Willoughby was one of the very old institutions ofthe school. Old, white-headed Willoughbites, when talking of theirremote schooldays, would often recall their exploits "on the floor ofthe house, " when Pilligrew (now a Cabinet Minister) brought in hisfamous bill to abolish morning chapel in winter, and was opposed byJilson (now Ambassador to the Court at Whereisit) in a speech two hourslong; or when old Coates (a grandfather, by the way, of the presentbearer of that name in the school) divided the house fifteen times inone afternoon on the question of presenting a requisition to the headmaster to put more treacle into the suet puddings! They were excitingdays, and the custom had gone on flourishing up to the present. 

The Willoughby Parliament was an institution which the masters of theschool wisely connived at, while holding aloof themselves from itsproceedings. There was no restraint as to the questions to be discussedor the manner and time of the discussion, provided the rules of theschool were not infringed. The management was entirely in the hands ofthe boys, who elected their own officers, and paid sixpence a term forthe privilege of a seat in the august assembly. 

The proceedings were regulated by certain rules handed down by longtradition according to which the business of the House was modelled asclosely as possible on the procedure of the House of Commons itself. Every boy was supposed to represent some place or other, and marvellouswas the scouring of atlases and geography books to discoverconstituencies for the young members. There was a Government and anOpposition, of course, only in the case of the former the "Ministers"were elected by the votes of the whole assembly, at the beginning ofeach session. They were designated by the titles of their office. There was a Premier and a Home Secretary, and a First Lord of theAdmiralty, and so on, and great was the pride of a Willoughbite when hefirst heard himself referred to as the Right Honourable!

Everything that came before the house had to come in the form of a billor a resolution. Any one anxious to bring up a subject (and there wasnothing to prevent the junior fag bringing in a bill if he liked)usually handed in his motion early in the session, so as to stand a goodchance of getting a date for his discussion. Later on, when moresubjects were handed in than there were evenings to debate them, theorder was decided by ballot, and due notice given every Friday of thebusiness for the next evening. 

Another feature of these meetings was, of course, the questions. Anyone was entitled to question the "Government" on matters affecting theschool, and the putting and answering of these questions was usually themost entertaining part of an evening's business. Naturally enough, itwas not always easy to decide to whose department many of the questionsasked belonged, but tradition had settled this to some extent. The HomeSecretary had to answer questions about the monitors, the First Lord ofthe Admiralty about the boats, the Secretary of State for War aboutfights, and so on, while more doubtful questions were usually firstasked of the Premier, who, if he didn't find it convenient to answerthem, was entitled to refer the inquirer to some other member of theGovernment. 

It need hardly be said that the meetings of the Willoughby Parliamentwere occasionally more noisy than dignified, and yet there existed acertain sense of order and respect for the "authority of the House"which held the members in check, and prevented the meetings fromdegenerating into riots. Another reason for the same result existed inthe doctor, who sanctioned the Parliament only as long as it wasconducted in an orderly manner, and did not offend against the rules ofthe school. And a final and more terrible reason still was in the factthat the House had the power of expelling a member who was generallyobnoxious. 

The session at Willoughby always opened on the Saturday after the Maysports, and notice had been duly given that Parliament would assemblethis year on the usual date, and that the first business would be theelection of a Speaker and a Government. 

The reader will easily understand that, under present circumstances, anunusual amount of interest and curiosity centred in the opening meetingof the school senate, and at the hour of meeting the big dining-hall, arranged after the model of the great House of Commons, was, in spite ofthe fact that it was a summer evening, densely packed by an excitedassembly of members. 

Most of the boys as they entered had stopped a moment to read the "orderpaper, " which was displayed in a prominent place beside the door. Itwas crowned with notices, the first three of which gave a good idea ofthe prospect of a lively evening. 

1. "That the captain of the school be elected Speaker of this House. "Proposed by T. Fairbairn; seconded by E. Coates. 

2. "That Mr Bloomfield be elected Speaker of this House. " Proposed byG. Game; seconded by R. Ashley. 

3. "That Francis Cusack, Esquire, member for the Isle of Wight, beelected Speaker of this House. " Proposed, A. Pilbury, Esquire;seconded, L. Philpot, Esq. 

The humour of the last notice was eclipsed by the seriousness of theother two. It had always been taken for granted that the captain ofWilloughby was also the Speaker of the House, and a contested electionfor that office was without precedent. Now, however, the old rule wasto be challenged; and as the members waited for the clock to strike sixthey discussed the coming contest among themselves with a solemnitywhich could hardly have been surpassed in Westminster itself. 

The clock sounded at last; every one was in his place. The seniors satranged on the front benches on either side of the table, and the otherscrowded the benches behind them, impatiently waiting for the proceedingsto commence. 

According to custom, Riddell, as captain of the school, rose, andbriefly proposed, "That Mr Isaacs, Senior Limpet, be requested topreside until after the election of a Speaker. "

The appearance of the captain to move this resolution had always beenthe signal for a loud ovation from the House. But this year the cheerswere confined to a very small cluster of schoolhouse boys, and died awaylanguidly in the general silence which prevailed elsewhere. Riddell'smotion being seconded and carried, Mr Isaacs, a pallid unintelligent-looking Limpet, rose and advanced to the chair at the end of the tableusually occupied by the Chairman of Committees, and, knocking with ahammer once or twice, demanded silence. This being secured, he calledout, "Mr Fairbairn!" and sat down. 

Fairbairn's speech was brief and to the point. 

"I beg to move that the captain of the school be elected Speaker of thisHouse. I don't know that I need say anything in support of this. "("Oh, oh!" from a voice opposite. ) "The captain always has been Speaker, and Mr Riddell has already taken an active part in the business of thehouse and knows what the Speaker's duties are. We all miss oldWyndham, "--(loud cheers)--"but I'm sure Riddell will be a worthysuccessor to him in the chair of this House. "

Coates having said, "I beg to second the motion, " Mr Isaacs put it tothe meeting, and asked if there was any amendment. Whereupon Game rose, amid loud cheers from all quarters. 

Game, as has already been said, was an honest fellow. He meant what hesaid, and generally said what he meant. He was fully convinced in hisown mind that Willoughby would go to the dogs under the new captain, andtherefore if Riddell had been his own twin-brother he would haveprotested against him all the same. 

"I beg to move an amendment, " he said, "and it is this: That MrBloomfield be appointed Speaker of this House instead of Mr Riddell. "(It will be noticed by the way that when Willoughby sat in Parliamenteverybody was "Mr") "And the reason I do so is because I consider MrBloomfield ought to be captain of the school instead of Mr Riddell. (Loud Parrett cheers. ) I've nothing to say against Mr Riddell--(cheersfrom the schoolhouse)--except that I don't consider he's the right manin the right place. (Great applause. ) He's been made captain againstour wishes, "--("Hear, hear, " and "Oh, oh!")--"and we can't help it. Butwe're not obliged to have him captain here, and what's more, we don'tmean to! (Terrific cheers, especially from the juniors. ) MrBloomfield's our man. Only to-day he stopped a row in the Fourth in twominutes which Mr Riddell couldn't have stopped if he'd stayed tillnow. " (Laughter, and cries of "Give him a clothes-brush!") "The fellowsall look up to Mr Bloomfield. He ran grandly for the school at thesports the other day, and licked the London fellow. (Here theenthusiasm became positively deafening. ) What's Mr Riddell done forthe school? I should like to know. We want a fellow who has donesomething for the school, and, I repeat, Mr Bloomfield's our man, and Ihope you'll elect him Speaker. "

Game sat down amidst a tempest of applause, which brought a flush ofpleasure even to his serious face. 

Many curious eyes were turned to Riddell to see the effect of thisuncomplimentary oration upon him. 

At first he had looked nervous and uncomfortable, and had even whisperedto Fairbairn, who sat next him, "Don't you think I'd better go?"

"For goodness' sake, no!" exclaimed Fairbairn. "Don't be a fool, Riddell. "

The caution had its weight. Riddell saw he must brave it out; and thatbeing settled, he felt more comfortable, and listened to all theunpleasant things that were said in a composed manner which greatlyperplexed his adversaries. 

Ashley, who seconded Game's motion, was hardly so fortunate in hisremarks as his predecessor. 

"I second the motion, gentlemen, " he said. "It's time we made a standagainst this sort of thing. " ("What sort of thing?" from voices on theschoolhouse side. ) "Why, schoolhouse tyranny. (Frantic Parrett cheers. )Why is the whole credit of Willoughby to be sacrificed for the sake ofyour precious schoolhouse?" ("Question!" "Order!" drowned by renewedcheers. ) "Why, just because he's a schoolhouse fellow, is a muff to bestuck over us? and just because he's a Parrett's fellow, is a splendidfellow like Mr Bloomfield to be snubbed in the face of the wholeschool? (Loud cheers. ) It's time Willoughby found out that Parrett isthe cock house of the school. " ("Oh! oh!" from the Welchers. ) "It's gotthe best men in it. (Parrett cheers. ) It's head of the river. " ("Ohno, not yet, " from Fairbairn. ) "Well, it will be very soon. It's aheadin everything. " ("Except intelligence, " from Crossfield. ) "No, I don'teven except intelligence. (Loud cheers from Bosher, and laughter. )And, as a sign of its intelligence, I beg to second the motion. "

This abrupt and somewhat vague termination to Ashley's spirited addressdid not detract from the applause with which it was greeted by his ownpartisans, or from the wrath with which it was received by theschoolhouse boys. 

The moment he sat down Crossfield sprang to his feet. This was thesignal for loud schoolhouse cheers, and for general attention from allquarters, for Crossfield usually had something to say worth listeningto. 

"Mr Limpet, sir, "--(loud laughter; Isaacs, who had been drawing niggerson the paper before him, started, and blushed very much to find himselfthus appealed to)--"I am sure we are all much obliged to the honourablemember who has just sat down for the `sign of intelligence' he has justfavoured us with. (Laughter. ) We've been looking for it for a longtime--(laughter)--and it's come at last! (Cheers and laughter. ) Sir, it would be a great pity to let such an occasion pass without notice. I'm not sure that the doctor might not think it worth a half-holiday. Asign of intelligence from the hon. Gentleman! And what is the sign, sir? (Laughter. ) The hon. Member seconds the motion. " ("Hear, hear!"from Parrett's. ) "Gentlemen of the same party say `Hear, hear!' as muchas to say, `We, too, show signs of intelligence!' Do you really, gentlemen? I could not have believed it. (Loud laughter. ) Why does hesecond the motion? Because he's a Parrett's boy, and Mr Bloomfield isa Parrett's boy, and all Parrett's boys say a Parrett's boy ought to bethe head of the school! Gentlemen, parrots aren't always to be trusted, even when they show signs of intelligence! (Cheers and laughter. )Don't you believe all a parrot tells you about parrots. (Laughter. ) Iprefer the arguments of the gentleman who moved the amendment. He sayshe doesn't think Mr Riddell is fit to be captain. (Cheers. ) I agreewith him--(tremendous Parrett's cheers, and consternation ofschoolhouse)--I don't think Mr Riddell is fit to be captain. Hedoesn't think so himself. " ("Hear, hear!" from Riddell, and laughter. )"But the gentleman says Mr Bloomfield is the man. (Loud cheers. ) Idon't agree with that at all. Mr Riddell knows very little aboutsports, though I do hear he was seen coxing a schoolhouse boat thismorning. (Derisive cheers. ) Mr Bloomfield knows almost as littleabout classics! (Loud laughter from the schoolhouse. ) Why, gentlemen, do you mean to say you think a fellow who couldn't translate `Balbushopped over a wall' without looking up three words in a lexicon is fitto be a Willoughby captain?" (Laughter from the juniors, and cries of"Time!" from Parretts. ) "I say not. Even though he's a Parrett's boy, and therefore can show a sign of intelligence! (Laughter. ) No; what Isay is, whether we believe in him or not, Mr Riddell is captain; anduntil you can show me a less bad one, I'll vote for him. "

This oration, delivered with great animation and amidst constantlaughter, helped to put the meeting in rather better humour, all exceptthe Parrett's fellows, who did not enjoy it at all. 

However, before any of them could make up his mind to reply, a shrillvoice was heard from the other end of the hall, "Sir! It is time theWelchers had a word!"

This innocent announcement caused a loud burst of laughter, in whichevery one joined, especially when it was discovered that the orator wasnone other than the youthful Mr Pilbury himself!

He stood surrounded by a small cluster of admiring juniors, who glareddefiantly out on the assembly generally, and "backed up their man" tillhe could hardly breathe. 

"It's all very well, " screamed Pilbury. (Loud cheers from Cusack andPhilpot. ) But here the chairman's hammer sounded and cries of "Order"checked the orator's progress. 

"The hon. Member, " said Isaacs, "cannot propose his motion till themotion before the House is disposed of. "

Pilbury scowled fiercely at the speaker. 

"I _shall_ propose it, " he cried, "and you'd better shut up, old Ikey!"

Game, amid much laughter, rose to order, and asked if these expressionswere parliamentary?

Isaacs said, "Certainly not, and Mr Pilbury must withdraw them. "

Mr Pilbury said "he'd withdraw his grandmother, " and attempted tocontinue his speech, when Fairbairn rose and suggested to the hon. Member that if he would only wait a bit the House would be delighted tohear him. After this conciliatory advice Pilbury let himself be pulleddown into his seat by his admirers, and the debate on Game's amendmentcontinued. 

It was hot and exciting. The arguments were mostly on the side of theschoolhouse, and the vehemence on the side of Parrett's. Once or twicea Welcher dropped in a speech, attacking both parties and once or twicea schoolhouse boy spoke in favour of Bloomfield, or a Parrett's boyspoke in favour of Riddell. At last, after about an hour's angrydebate, the House divided. That is, all those in favour of Game'samendment moved over to one side of the room, and those against it tothe other, and those who did not want to vote at all kept their seats inthe middle. 

There was no need to count the numbers of the rival parties as theystood. Only about twenty-five stood beside Fairbairn and theschoolhouse, while nearly two hundred and fifty boys crowded the side ofthe room along which Game and his followers took their stand. Thetriumph of the opponents to the new captain was complete, and the schoolhad given him and the head master a most emphatic reply to the lateappointment. 

Riddell would have much preferred to be allowed to withdraw of his ownaccord rather than remain to be beaten. But his friends had all opposedthe idea as cowardly, and he had given in to them. He now took hisdefeat very placidly, and even joined in the laughter which greeted MrIsaac's call. 

"Now, Mr Pilbury!"

Mr Pilbury was "off his speech. " If he had been allowed to proceedwhen he first rose, he had the steam up and could have let out, as hetold his friends; but now the spirit had been taken out of him. However, he was compelled to make an effort, and began as before, "Sir, it is time the Welchers had a word. "

He didn't mean anything funny, he was certain, but everybody laughed. 

"Why shouldn't old Cusack here--" ("Order, order")--"What's the row?"

Isaacs informed the hon. Gentleman that members of that House werealways called "Mr"

"Mr Cusack, then, " said Pilbury, "it's just a dodge of Ikey to floor mein my speech. Why shouldn't old Mr Cusack-- Eh, what say?"

This was addressed to Philpot, who was eagerly trying to prompt hisally. 

"Go it, let out at them, " he whispered. 

"Why shouldn't old Mr Cusack go it and let out--that is--all right, Philpot, you pig, I'll pay you out, see if I don't. Why shouldn't oldMr Cusack, gentlemen--er--"

"Do, " suggested Cusack himself. 

"Do, " shouted Pilbury, "do, gentlemen--do? Why shouldn't--(all right, Gus Telson, I see you chucking darts)--why shouldn't old Mr Cusack--"

"Does any gentleman second the amendment?" asked Mr Isaacs, evidentlygetting hungry and anxious to be released from his post. 

"Yes, " shouted Philpot, "Mr Gentlemen, yes, I do--and--"

"Wait a bit, you howling cad, " exclaimed Pilbury, in excitement. "I'venot done yet!"

"Mr Philpot!" said Mr Isaacs. 

"Philpot be blowed, " cried the irate Pilbury, "wait till I'm done. "

"Order, order, " shouted members on all sides. 

"Moved by Mr Pilbury, seconded by Mr Philpot, " began Isaacs. 

"Easy all, " cried Philpot, "I've not spoken yet. "

"Order, order, " cried Isaacs. 

"Order yourself, " retorted Philpot, "I've got a right to speak. "

"So have I, " said Pilbury, "and I was up first. "

"Forge away, " said Philpot, "you'll be all right. "

"Nothing to do with you if I _am_ all right, " snarled Pilbury. 

"You seem to think you're the only fellow can talk. "

"Ays to the right, noes to the left, " said Isaacs, in a loud voice. 

The House instantly divided, and before either Pilbury or Philpot couldmake up their minds about proceeding, the motion had been declared lostby a majority of three hundred odd to one. 

In a great state of wrath the injured Welchers left the hall, making asmuch noise as they possibly could in doing so. 

As soon as they were gone, Isaacs put the question that Bloomfield beelected Speaker, and this was carried without a division, theschoolhouse fellows not caring to demand one. 

Amid loud and long-continued cheers the new Speaker took his seat, andas soon as silence could be restored, said, "I'm much obliged to you allfor your vote. I hope Willoughby won't go down. I'll try to prevent itfor one. (Loud cheers. ) I'm very proud to be elected your Speaker, andfeel it quite as much honour as if I was captain of the school. " (Loudcries of "So you are!"--from Parrett's. ) "In reference to what onegentleman said about me, I hope you won't believe it. I'm twelfth inclassics. (Laughter from the schoolhouse and terrific applause fromParrett's. ) That's all I have to say. "

The remaining business of the afternoon was dull compared with what hadgone before. The elections for the various posts in the Government didnot excite very much enthusiasm, especially among the juniors, whodeserted the meeting soon after they began. After what had occurred itis hardly to be wondered at that the partisans of Bloomfield and theParretts had the matter pretty much in their own hands, and used it totheir own advantage. When the list was finally declared, it was foundthat only one schoolhouse fellow, Porter, had a place in the "Cabinet. "He was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. Game was First Lord ofthe Admiralty, Wibberly, War Secretary, Ashley, Home Secretary, andStrutter, a comparatively obscure boy, Premier. All these, as well asthe other officers appointed, were Parrett's fellows, who may haveflattered themselves their election was a simple recognition of merit ineach case, but who, taken altogether, were a long way off being the mostdistinguished boys of Willoughby. 

Parliament did not adjourn till a late hour that evening, and no one wasparticularly sorry when it did. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

A SCIENTIFIC AFTERNOON IN WELCH'S. 

"Pil, " said Cusack, a few days after the unfortunate end to thatgentleman's "motion" in Parliament--"Pil, it strikes me we can do prettymuch as we like these times. What do you think?"

"Well, I don't know, " said Pil, meditatively; "I got a pot from Coatesto-day for playing fives against the schoolhouse door. "

"Oh yes; of course, if you fool about out of doors you'll get potted. What I mean is, indoors here there's no one to pull us up that I cansee. "

"Oh! I see what you mean, " said Pil. "Yes, you're about right there. "

"Gully, you know, " continued Cusack--"Gully's no good as master of ahouse; he's always grubbing over his books. Bless his heart! it doesn'tmatter to him whether we cut one another's throats!"

"Not it! I dare say he'd be rather glad if we did, " replied Pilbury. 

"Then there's Tucker. No fear of his reporting us, eh!"

"Rather not! when he's always breaking rules himself, and slinking downto Shellport, and kicking up rows with the other chaps. What do youthink I found in his brush-and-comb bag the other day? Thirteen cigar-ends! He goes about collecting them in Shellport, I suppose, andfinishes them up on the quiet. "

"Oh, he's a beast!" said Cusack. "And old Silk's about as bad. Hedoesn't care a bit what we do as long as he enjoys himself. Don'tsuppose he'd be down on us, do you?"

"No fear! He might pot us now and then for appearances' sake, but hewouldn't report us, I guess. "

"And suppose he did, " said Cusack; "the new captain's as big a muff asall the lot of them put together. He's afraid to look at a chap. Didn't you hear what he did to the Parrett's kids the other day?"

"Yes; didn't I!" exclaimed Pilbury. "He let them all off, and beggedtheir pardons or something. But I'm jolly glad Parrett was down onthem. He's stopped their river-play, and they won't be able to show upat the regatta. "

"I'm jolly glad!" said Cusack; "chaps like them deserve to catch it, don't they, Pil?"

"Rather!" replied Pilbury. 

A silence ensued, during which both heroes were doubtless meditatingupon the unexampled iniquities of the Parrett juniors. 

Presently Pilbury observed somewhat dolefully, "Beastly slow, isn't it, Cusack?"

"What's beastly slow?"

"Oh, everything! No fun kicking up a row if there's no one to pull youup. I'm getting sick of rows. "

Cusack stared at his friend with rather concerned looks. He could notbe well, surely, or he would never come out with sentiments like those. 

"Fact is, " continued Pilbury, contemplatively balancing himself on onefoot on the corner of the fender, "I've half a notion to go in for beingsteady this term, old man, just for a change. "

As if to suit the action to the word, the fender suddenly capsized underhim, and shot him head first into the waistcoat of his friend. 

Cusack solemnly restored him to his feet and replied, "Rather a rumstart, isn't it?"

"Well, " said Pilbury, examining his shin to see if it had been grazed bythe treacherous fender, "I don't see what else there is to do. Any chapcan fool about. I'm fagged of fooling about; ain't you?"

"I don't know, " said Cusack, doubtfully. "It's not such a lark as itused to be, certainly. "

"What do you say to going it steady this term?" asked Pilbury. 

"Depends on what you mean by `steady. ' If you mean never going out ofbounds or using cribs, I'm not game. "

"Oh, I don't mean that, you know, " said Pilbury. "What I mean is, shutting up rows, and that sort of thing. "

"What can a fellow do?" asked Cusack, dubiously. 

"Oh, lots to do, you know, " said Pilbury--"dominoes, you know, orspellicans. I've got a box at home. "

"Jolly slow always playing dominoes, " said Cusack, "or spellicans. "

"Well, then, there's--"

"Hold hard!" broke in Cusack, struck with a sudden idea. "What's thename of the thing old Philpot's always at?"

"What, chemistry? Jolly good idea, old man! Let's go in for that. "

"Not a bad lark, " said Cusack--"lots of explosions and things. Philpottold me he could make Pharaoh's serpents, and smells like rotten eggs. We'll get him to coach us, eh, Pil?"

"I'm game, " said Pil, no less delighted than his friend at this happythought. 

And, full of their new idea of "going it steady, " the two worthiesforthwith sallied out and made hue and cry for Philpot. 

Unless Philpot in his leisure moments was engaged in some predatoryexpedition, or happened to be serving a term of imprisonment in thedetention room, it was a pretty safe guess to look for him in thelaboratory, where as an ardent student of science he was permitted toresort, and within certain limits practise for himself. Philpot himselfbore the office of "second under bottle-washer" in Willoughby; that is, he assisted the boy who assisted the chemistry fag who assisted theassistant master to the science master; and _on_ the strength of thisdistinction he was allowed some special privileges in the way ofimproving himself in his favourite branch of study. He was on the wholerather a promising pupil, and had a very fair idea of the properties ofthe several substances he was allowed to experiment with. Indeed he hadhad to pass an examination and perform some experiments in the presenceof the master before he was allowed to enter the laboratory as a privatestudent at all. No one knew exactly how he distinguished himself onthat occasion, or how he succeeded with his experiments, but it waswell-known that, if he had succeeded then, he had never done so since;that is, according to anybody's idea but his own. 

Cusack and Pilbury found him busy blowing through a tube into a bottleof water, looking very like a purple cherub bursting at the cheeks. Hewas so engrossed with his task that he did not even notice their entry, indeed it was not till Pilbury had stepped behind him and clapped himsuddenly on either side of the face, making his cheeks explode like asmall balloon, and spilling the contents of his bottle all over thetable, that he became aware that he had visitors. "What a frightfulidiot you are, Pilbury!" he exclaimed; "you've spoilt that wholeexperiment. I wish you'd shut up fooling and get out. "

"Awfully sorry, old man, " said Pilbury, "but you did look so jollypuffed out, you know; didn't he, Cusack?"

"Now you've done, you'd better hook it, " said Philpot, "you've not gotleave to come here. "

"Oh, don't be riled, " said Cusack; "the fact is, Pil and I came to seeif you'd put us up to a thing or two in this sort of business. "

"We've gone on the steady, Phil, you know, " explained Pilbury, inconciliatory tones, "and thought it would be rather jolly if we threeworked up a little chemistry together. "

"We'd watch you do the things at first, of course, " said Cusack, "tillwe twigged all the dodges. "

"And it would be jolly good practice for you, you know, in case ever oldMix-'em-up is laid up, and you have to lecture instead. "

Philpot regarded his two would-be pupils doubtfully, but softenedconsiderably as they went on. 

"You'll have to promise not to fool, " said he, presently, "or there'llbe a row. "

"Oh, rather; we won't touch anything without asking, will we, Pil?"replied Cusack. "Awfully brickish of you, Philpot. "

Philpot took the compliment very complacently, and the two studentssettled themselves one on either side of the table and waited foroperations to begin. 

"Wire in, old man, " said Pilbury, encouragingly; "cut all the jaw, youknow, and start with the experiments. Can't you give us a jolly flare-up to begin with?"

"All serene, " said Philpot, who had now quite recovered his humour, andwas pleased to find himself in the position of an instructor of youth, "wait a bit, then. "

He reached down from a shelf a large saucer containing water, in whichlay a round substance rather like the end of a stick of peppermint-rock. On this Philpot began to operate with a pair of scissors, greatly tothe amusement of his spectators, for try all he would he couldn't gethold of it. 

"What are you trying to do?" said Cusack. 

"Cut a bit off, " said Philpot, trying to stick the substance with a longbodkin, in order to hold it steady. 

"Why, that's not the way to cut it, you old dolt, " said Pilbury. "Here, I'll do it, " and he advanced to the saucer. 

"What'll you do?"

"Why, fish it out, of course, and cut it then. "

"You'd better not try. It's phosphorus. "

"Is it, though--and what does it do?"

"Burn you, rather, unless you keep it in water. Ah, got him at last. "

So saying Philpot triumphantly spiked the obstinate piece of phosphorus, and succeeded in cutting off a small piece. 

"Is that what makes the flare-up?" asked Cusack. 

"Yes, wait a bit, till I get the jar. "

"What jar?" asked Pilbury. "Here's one; will this do?"

"Look out, I say!" exclaimed Philpot, in great excitement; "let it go, will you?"

"What's the row?" asked Pilbury and Cusack, both in alarm. 

"Why, that's got my oxygen in it, " cried Philpot, securing the bottleand gently lifting it on to the table, taking care to hold the glassplate that covered the mouth in its place. 

"Got his what in it?" asked Cusack. 

"Oxygen. It took me an hour to get. "

"There's nothing in that empty jar, " said Pilbury, laughing. "Isn'tthere, though?" said Philpot; "it's full. "

"You mean to say that jar's full of something, " said Cusack. "Lookhere, don't you try to stuff us up. What's the use of saying it's fullwhen it's empty?"

"It's full of gas, I tell you, " said Philpot. "Don't you talk till youknow. "

This rebuke somewhat silenced the two devotees of science, who, however, continued to regard the jar sceptically and rather contemptuously. 

Philpot next dived into a drawer and drew from it a large cork, throughwhich passed a long wire having a small cup at the lower end. 

"Now look out, " he said. 

He proceeded to shovel the small piece of phosphorus into the little cupunder the cork, and drawing it out of the water, applied a light. Thephosphorus lit up immediately, and at the same instant he slipped theglass plate off the mouth of the oxygen jar, and clapped the cork, withthe wire and cup hanging down from it, in its place. The effect wasmagical. The moment the phosphorus was introduced into the oxygen itflared up with a brilliancy that perfectly dazzled the spectators, andmade the entire jar look like one mass of light. 

The two pupils were delighted; Philpot was complacently triumphant; whenall of a sudden there was a loud report, the illumination suddenlyceased, and the jar, broken to pieces, collapsed. 

Pilbury and Cusack, who at the first alarm had retreated somewhatsuddenly to the door, returned as soon as they perceived there was nodanger, and were profuse in their praises of the experiment and theexperimenter. 

"Awfully prime, that was!" cried Cusack; "wasn't it, Pil?"

"Stunning!" said Pilbury. 

"Jolly grind that jar bursting up, though, " said Philpot, with atroubled countenance. 

"Why, wasn't that part of the show-off?" asked Pilbury. "Part of theshow-off! No!" exclaimed Philpot. "I thought it was the best part ofit all, " said Cusack. "So did I. No end of a bust up it was. "

"You see, " said Philpot, solemnly, "what I ought to have done was todilute the oxygen with a little air first, but you fellows flurried meso I forgot all about it. "

"Jolly glad you did, or we'd have missed the bust up, " said Cusack. "Isay, can't we try now? I know the way to do it quite well. "

But this proposal Philpot flatly declined to accede to, and could onlyappease their disappointment by promising to perform one otherexperiment for their benefit. 

This was of rather an elaborate nature. The operator first placed in asaucer some stuff which he explained was iodine. On to this he pouredfrom a small bottle which smelt uncommonly like smelling-salts a smallquantity of liquid, and then proceeded to stir the concoction up. 

The two students were not to be restrained from offering their servicesat this point, and Philpot yielded. After they had stirred to theirhearts' content, Philpot ordered them to desist and let it stand a bit. 

This they consented to do, and occupied the interval in taking down andsmelling all the bottles within reach, with a hardihood that frightenedthe wits out of poor Philpot. 

"Look here, " he said, when presently Pilbury suddenly dropped one bottlewith a crash to the floor, and began violently spitting and choking, "you promised you wouldn't touch anything, and I'll shut up if you go onfooling any more. Serves you right, Pil, so it does. "

It was some time before the unfortunate Pil recovered from the resultsof his unlucky experiment, and even when he did, the odours from thebroken bottle were so offensive that the windows had to be opened widebefore the atmosphere of the room became tolerable. It wouldn't havetaken so long, only it was deemed advisable to shut the door at the sametime to prevent the smell getting outside and telling tales to theschool at large. 

By the time this pleasant diversion was disposed of the concoction inthe saucer had recovered from its stirring, and Philpot declared it wasready to go ahead with. 

He therefore placed another saucer upside down upon this one, andcarefully strained off between the two all the liquid, leaving only ablack powder in the saucer, which he announced was iodide of nitrogen. 

"Jolly rum name, " said Cusack, "what does it do?"

"You wait a bit, " said Philpot, scooping the wet powder up with the endof a knife and spreading it out on small separate pieces of paper. 

"Fellow's born a chemist, " said Pilbury, watching him admiringly;"that's just what old Joram does at the dispensary. What's all thespread out for?"

"To dry it, " said Philpot. 

"Why don't you stick it on the shovel and hold it over the gas?"suggested Cusack. "Jolly fag waiting till it dries itself. "

"Oh, it won't be long, " said Philpot. 

"And what's it going to do when it's done?" asked Cusack. 

"Hope it'll flare-up like the other, " said Pilbury. 

"It ought to, " said Philpot. 

"Ought it? Hurrah! I say, Cusack, what a jolly clever beggar old Philis, isn't he?"

"Rather, " said the admiring Cusack, perching himself on the side of thetable and swinging his legs to pass the time. 

"Oh, " said Philpot, condescendingly, "it only wants a little practice. "

"Rather; I mean to practise hard, don't you, Cusack?"

Cusack said, Yes he did, and proceeded to prowl round the laboratory ina manner that made Philpot very uncomfortable. 

It was a relief to all parties when the powders were at last pronouncedto be dry. 

"Now, " said Philpot, taking up one of the small papers gently on theflat of his hand, "we shall have to be careful. "

"That little lot won't make half a flare, " suggested Pilbury; "let'shave two or three at once. "

So saying he lifted up one of the other papers and emptied its contentsinto the paper on Philpot's hand. 

"Look out, " said Philpot, "it'll blow up. "

"Eh, what?" cried Cusack, jumping off the table in his excitement at theglorious news. 

As he did so Philpot uttered a cry, which was accompanied by a loudcrackling explosion, and a dense volume of blue smoke, which made theboys turn pale with terror. For a moment neither of them could move orutter a sound except Philpot, who danced round and round the room in thesmoke howling and wringing his hand. 

When at last they did recover presence of mind enough to inquire oftheir preceptor if he was injured, it was in tones of terrible alarm. 

"Oh, Phil, old man, are you hurt? What was it? We're so awfully sorry. Is your hand blown off?"

"No, " said Philpot, continuing to wring his injured hand, but otherwiseconsiderably recovered, "it was your fault jumping off the table. Thebeastly stuff goes off almost if you look at it. It's lucky it wasn'tall dry, or I might have had my eyes out!"

It was a great relief to find matters were no worse, and that in a veryfew minutes Philpot's hand had recovered from the smart of theexplosion. This accident, however, decided the young enthusiasts thatfor the present they had perhaps had enough chemistry for one lesson. 

In a few days, however, they had all sufficiently got over the shock ofthe last afternoon's experiments to decide on a fresh venture, and theselessons continued, on and off, during the rest of the term. It canhardly be said that by the end of the term Pilbury or Cusack knew anymore about chemistry than they had known this first day. Theypersistently refused to listen to any of Philpot's "jaw, " as they rudelytermed his attempts at explanation, and confined themselves to theexperiments. However, though in many respects they wasted their timeover their new pursuit, these volatile youths might have been a gooddeal worse employed. 

In fact, if every Welcher had been no worse employed that house wouldnot have brought all the discredit on Willoughby which it did. As itwas, everybody there seemed to follow his own sweet will without asingle thought for the good of the school or the welfare of his fellows. The heads of the house, Tucker and Silk, did not even attempt to set agood example, and that being so, it was hardly to be expected thosebelow them would be much interested to supply the deficiencies. 

On the very afternoon when Pilbury and Cusack had been sitting at thefeet of the learned Philpot in the laboratory, Silk, a monitor, had, along with Gilks, of the schoolhouse, a monitor too, gone down toShellport, against all rules, taking Wyndham junior, one of theirspecial _proteges_, with them. 

They appeared to be pretty familiar with the ins and outs of the bigtown, and though on this occasion they occupied their time in no moredisgraceful a way than waiting on the harbour pier to see the mailsteamer come in, they yet felt, all three of them, as if they would byno means like to be seen by any one who knew them. 

And it appeared as if they were going to be spared this embarrassment, for they encountered no one they knew till they were actually on theirway home. 

Then, just as they were passing the station door, they met, to theirhorror, a boy in a college cap just coming out with a parcel under hisarm. To their astonishment, it proved to be no other than Riddellhimself. 

Riddell, who had come down by a special "permit" from the doctor to geta parcel--containing, by the way, his new boating flannels--at firstlooked as astonished and uncomfortable as the three truants themselves. He would sooner have had anything happen to him than such a meeting. However, as usual, his sense of duty came to his rescue. 

He advanced to the group in a nervous manner, and, addressing Wyndham, said, hurriedly, "Please come to my room this evening, Wyndham, " andthen, without waiting for a reply, or staying to notice the ominouslooks of the two monitors, he departed, and proceeded as fast as hecould back to Willoughby. 

CHAPTER TEN. 

WYNDHAM JUNIOR AND HIS FRIENDS. 

Wyndham, the old captain, just before leaving Willoughby, had done hisbest to interest Riddell in the welfare of his young brother, a Limpetin the Fourth. 

"I wish you'd look after him now and then, Riddell, " he said; "he's nota bad fellow, I fancy, but he's not got quite enough ballast on board, and unless there's some one to look after him he's very likely to getinto bad hands. "

Riddell promised he would do his best, and the elder brother was mostgrateful. 

"I shall be ever so much easier _now_, " he said, "and it's awfully goodof you, Riddell. I wouldn't care for the young 'un to go wrong, youknow. Thanks very much, old man. "

And so it came to pass that among the legacies which the old captainleft behind him at Willoughby, the one which fell to Riddell was a youngbrother, slightly rickety in character and short of ballast. 

A parting request like Wyndham's would have been very hard for anyfriend to refuse; but to Riddell the promise "to look after youngWyndham" meant a great deal more than it would have done to many otherfellows. It was not enough for him to make occasional inquiries as tohis young _protege_, or even to try to shield him when he fell intoscrapes. Riddell's idea of looking after a rickety youngster included agood deal more than this, and from the moment the old captain had left, amid all his _own_ tribulations and adversities, the thought of youngWyndham had saddled itself on Riddell's conscience with an uncomfortableweight. 

This was the reason why he made the boy free of his study, and gave up agood deal of his own time in helping him with his work. And it was thesame reason which prompted him on the afternoon spoken of in the lastchapter, much against his inclination, to accost the three truants inShellport, and request Wyndham to come to his study. 

"You're in for a nice sermon, my boy, " said Gilks, as the three walkedhome. 

"I wish he hadn't seen us, " said Wyndham, feeling uncomfortable. 

"Why, you don't suppose he'll lick you?" said Silk, laughing. 

"No, but he'll be awfully vexed. "

"Vexed!" cried Gilks. "Poor fellow! How I'd like to comfort him! Takemy advice and forget all about going to his study. He'll not be sorry, I can tell you. "

"Oh, I must go, " said Wyndham. "I don't want to offend him. "

"Kind of you, " said Silk, laughing. "Funny thing how considerate afellow can be to another fellow who does his lessons for him. "

Wyndham blushed, but said nothing. He knew these two companions werenot the sort of boys his brother would have cared to have him associatewith, nor did he particularly like them himself. But when two seniorboys take the trouble to patronise a junior and make fun of his"peculiarities, " as they called his scruples, it is hardly surprisingthat the youngster comes out a good way to meet his patrons. 

Wyndham, by the way, was rather more than a youngster. He was a Limpet, and looked back on the days of fagging as a long-closed chapter of hishistory. Had he been a junior like Telson or Pilbury, it would havebeen less likely either that Game and Silk would take such trouble tocultivate his acquaintance, or that he would submit himself so easily totheir patronage. As it was, he was his own master. Nobody had a rightto demand his services, neither had he yet attained to theresponsibilities of a monitor. He could please himself, and thereforeyielded himself unquestioningly to the somewhat flattering attentions ofthe two seniors. 

No, not quite unquestioningly. Short as was the time since his brotherhad left, it had been long enough for Riddell to let the boy see that hewished to be his friend. He had never told him so in words, but Wyndhamcould guess what all the kind interest which the new captain evinced inhim meant. And it was the thought of this that kept alive the one ortwo scruples he still retained in joining himself to the society ofGilks and Silk. 

And so he declined the invitation of these two friends to defy thecaptain's summons. 

"Well, " said Gilks, "if you must put your head into the lion's mouth, you must, mustn't he, Silk? But I say, as you _are_ to get pulled up, Idon't see why you shouldn't have all the fun you can for your money. What do you say to a game of skittles at Beamish's?"

"_What_ a nice boy you are!" said Silk, laughing; "the young 'un doesn'tknow Beamish's. "

"Not know Beamish's!--at the Aquarium!" said Gilks. 

"No. What is he?" inquired Wyndham. 

"He's the Aquarium!" said Gilks, laughing. 

"And do they play skittles in the Aquarium?" asked the boy. 

"Rather!" said Silk; "it amuses the fishes, you know. " Beamish's was, as Gilks had said, another name for the Shellport Aquarium--adisreputable place of resort, whose only title to the name of Aquariumwas that it had in it, in an obscure corner which nobody ever explored, a small tank, which might have contained fishes if there had been anyput into it. As it was, the last thing any one went to Beamish's forwas to study fishes, the other attractions of the place--the skittles, bowls, and refreshment bars--being far more popular. These things inthemselves, of course, were not enough to make Beamish's a bad place. That character was supplied by the company that were mostly in the habitof frequenting it, of which it is enough to say it was the very reverseof select. 

At this time of day, however, the place was almost empty, and when, after a good deal of chaff and persuasion, Wyndham was induced to take alittle turn round the place, he was surprised to find it so quiet andunobjectionable. The boys had a short game at skittles and a short gameat bowls, and bought a few buns and an ice at the refreshment stall, andthen departed schoolwards. 

They reached Willoughby in good time for call-over, no one exceptRiddell being aware of their pleasant expedition. Still Wyndham, whenit was all _over_, did not feel altogether comfortable. Not that hethought what he had done was very bad, or that he had sinned indeceiving the masters and breaking the rules of the school. Whattroubled him was that he knew Riddell would be vexed. 

He repaired to the captain's study with his books as usual after eveningchapel and found him busy over his work. 

But as soon as the boy entered, Riddell pushed the papers away rathernervously. 

"Well, Wyndham, " said he, "I'm glad you've come. "

Wyndham deposited his books and looked rather uncomfortable. 

Riddell had rather hoped the boy would refer to the subject first, buthe did not. Riddell therefore said, "I was sorry to see you down inShellport this afternoon, Wyndham. You hadn't a permit, had you?"

"No, " said Wyndham. 

"It's hardly the thing, is it?" said the captain, quietly, after apause. 

His voice, devoid of all anger or self-importance, made Wyndham stillmore uncomfortable. 

"I'm awfully sorry, " said he. "I suppose I oughtn't to have gone. Ibeg your pardon, Riddell. "

"Oh!" said Riddell, "don't do that, please. "

"You know, " said Wyndham, "as those two took me, it didn't seem to bemuch harm. We only went to see the steamer come in. "

"The thing is, " said Riddell, "it was against the rules. "

"But Gilks and Silk are both monitors, aren't they?"

"They are, " said the captain, with a touch of bitterness in his tone. 

There was another pause, this time a long one. Neither boy seemedinclined to return to the subject. Wyndham opened his books and made apretence of beginning his work, and Riddell fidgeted with the papersbefore him. In the mind of the latter a hurried debate was going on. 

"What had I better do? I might send him up to the doctor and perhapsget him expelled. It might be the best thing for him too, for if thosetwo have got hold of him he's sure to go wrong. I can't do anything tokeep him from them. And yet, I promised old Wynd--I must try; I mighthelp to keep him straight. God help me!"

Is the reader astonished that the captain of a great public schoolshould so far forget himself as to utter a secret prayer in his ownstudy about such a matter as the correction of a young scapegrace? It_was_ an unusual thing to do, certainly; and probably if Wyndham hadknown what was passing in the captain's mind he would have thought morepoorly of his brother's friend than he did. But I am not quite sure, reader, whether Riddell was committing such an absurdity as some personsmight think; or whether you or I, or any other fellow in a similarposition, would be any the worse for forgetting ourselves in the sameway. What do you think? It is worth thinking over, when you have time. 

"God help me, " said Riddell to himself, and he felt his mind wonderfullycleared already as he said it. 

Clearer, that is, as to what he ought to do, but still ratherembarrassed as to how to do it. But he meant to try. 

"I say, Wyndham, " he said, in his quiet way. "I want to ask youradvice. "

"What about?" asked Wyndham, looking up in surprise. "About thosefellows?"

"Not exactly. It's more about myself, " said the captain. 

"What about you?" asked Wyndham. 

"Why, there's a fellow in the school I'm awfully anxious to do some goodto, " began Riddell. 

"Rather a common failing of yours, " said Wyndham. 

"Wanting to do it is more common than doing it, " said Riddell; "but Idon't know how to tackle this fellow, Wyndham. "

"Who is he? Do I know him?" asked the boy. 

"I'm not sure that you know him particularly well, " said the captain. "He's not a bad fellow; in fact he has a lot of good in him. "

"Is he a Limpet?" asked Wyndham. 

"But, " continued Riddell, not noticing the question, "he's got a horridfault. He won't stand up for himself, Wyndham. "

"Oh, " observed Wyndham, "there's a lot of them like that--regularcowards they are. "

"Exactly, this fellow's one of them. He's always funking it. "

Wyndham laughed. 

"I know who you mean--Tedbury, isn't it?"

"No, that's not his name, " said Riddell. "He's a nicer sort of fellowthan Tedbury. There are one or two fellows that are always down on him, too. They see he's no pluck, and so they think they can do what theylike with him. "

"Meekins gets a good deal mauled about by some of the others, " saidWyndham. 

"This fellow gets a good deal more damaged than Meekins, " said thecaptain. "In fact he gets so mauled his friends will soon hardly beable to recognise him. "

Wyndham looked sharply at the speaker. Riddell was quite grave andserious, and proceeded quietly, "The worst of it is, this fellow's quitewell able to stick up for himself if he likes, and could easily hold hisown. Only he's lazy, or else he likes getting damaged. "

"Are you making all this up?" demanded Wyndham colouring. 

Riddell took no notice of the inquiry, but continued rather moreearnestly, "Now I'd like your advice, Wyndham, old fellow. I want to dothis fellow a good turn. Which do you suppose would be the best turn todo him; to pitch into the fellows that are always doing him harm? or totry to persuade him to stick up for himself and not let them do justwhat they like with him, eh?"

Wyndham had seen it all before the question was ended, and hung down hishead in silence. 

Riddell did not disturb him, but waited quietly, and, if truth be told, anxiously, till he should reply. 

Presently the boy looked up with a troubled face, and said, "I know I'man awful fool, Riddell. "

"But you're not obliged to be, " said the captain, cheerily. 

"I'll try not to be, I really will, " said Wyndham. "Only--"

"Only what?" asked Riddell, after a pause. 

"Only somehow I never think of it at the time. "

"I know, " said Riddell, kindly. 

"Why only this afternoon, " said Wyndham, drawn out by the sympathy ofhis companion, "I tried to object to going down to the town, and theymade up some excuse, so that I would have seemed like a regular prig tohold out, and so I went. I'm awfully sorry now. I know I'm a coward, Riddell; I ought to have stuck out. "

"I think you ought, " said Riddell; "they would probably have laughed atyou, and possibly tried to bully you a bit. But you can take care ofyourself, I fancy, when it comes to that, eh?"

"I can about the bullying, " said Wyndham. 

"And so, " said Riddell, "you really advise me to say to this fellow Iwas telling you about, to stand up for himself and not let himself beled about by any one?"

"Except you, Riddell, " said the boy. 

"No, " said Riddell, "not even me. _I_ can't profess to tell you all youought to do. "

"I should like to know who can, if you can't?" said Wyndham. 

"I think we both know, " said Riddell, gravely. 

The conversation ended here. For an hour and a half after that each boywas busy over his work, and neither spoke a word. Their thoughts maynot all have been in the books before them; in fact it may safely besaid they were not. But they were thoughts that did not require words. Only when Wyndham rose to go, and wished his friend good-night, Riddellindirectly referred to the subject of their talk. 

"By the way, Wyndham, Isaacs has given up the school librarianship; Isuppose you know. How would you like to take it?"

"What has a fellow got to do?" asked Wyndham. 

"You have to issue the new books every Monday and collect the old onesevery Saturday. There are about one hundred boys subscribe, and theyorder the new book when they give up the old, so it's simple enough. "

"Takes a lot of time, doesn't it?" said Wyndham. 

"No, not very much, I believe. Isaacs shirked it a good deal, and you'dhave to keep the lists rather better than he did. But I fancy you'denjoy it rather; and, " he added, "it will be an excuse for seeing lessof some not very nice friends. "

Wyndham said he would take the post, and went off happier in his ownmind than he had been for a long time, and leaving Riddell happier too, despite all his failures and vexations elsewhere, than he had been sincehe became captain of Willoughby. 

But, though happy, he could hardly be elated. His effort that eveninghad certainly been a success, but how long would its effects last?

Riddell was not fool enough to imagine that his promise to old Wyndhamwas now discharged by that one evening's talk. He knew the boy wellenough to be sure that the task was only just begun. And histhankfulness at having made a beginning was tempered with many anxietiesfor the future. And he might well be anxious!

For a day or two Wyndham was an altered boy. He surprised his mastersby his attention in class, and his schoolfellows--all except Riddell--bythe steadiness of his behaviour. He avoided his former companions, anddevoted himself with enthusiasm to his new duties as librarian, to whichthe doctor, at Riddell's suggestion, had appointed him. 

This alteration, approved of as it was in many quarters, was by no meansappreciated by two boys at Willoughby. It was not that they caredtwopence about the society of their young Limpet, or that they had anymoral objection to good behaviour and steady work. What irritated Gilksand Silk over the business was that they saw in it the hand of an enemy, and felt that the present change in their _protege_ was due to Riddell'sinfluence in opposition to their own. The two monitors felt hurt atthis; it was like a direct snub aimed at them, and, considering thequarter from which it came, they did not like it at all. 

"This sort of thing won't do, " said Gilks to his friend one day, shortlyafter Riddell's talk with Wyndham. "The young 'un's cut ouracquaintance. "

"Hope we shall recover in time, " said Silk, sneering. "Yes; he's gonedecidedly `pi. ' the last week. "

"It's all that reverend prig's doing!" growled Gilks. "I mean to spoilhis little game for him, though, " added he. "How'll you do it?" askedSilk. "That's just it! I wish I knew, " said Gilks. 

"Oh! leave it to me, I'll get at him somehow. I don't suppose he's toofar gone yet. "

Accordingly Silk took an early opportunity of meeting his young friend. 

"Ah! Wyndham, " said he, casually; "don't see much of you now. "

"No, " said Wyndham, shortly; "I'm busy with the library. "

"Oh! I'm afraid, though, you're rather glad of an excuse to cut Silksand me after the row we got you into last week. "

"You didn't get me into any row, " said Wyndham. "What! didn't he lickyou for it? Ah! I see how it is. He's afraid you'd let out on him forbeing down too. Rather a good dodge too. Gilks and I half thought ofreporting him, but we didn't. "

"He had a permit, hadn't he?"

"Oh, yes--rather! I don't doubt that. Just like Brown's, the townboy's excuses. Writes them himself. "

"I'm certain Riddell wouldn't do such a thing, " said Wyndham, warming. 

"I never said he would, " replied Silk, seeing he was going a little toofar. "You see, captains don't want permits. There's no one to pullthem up. But I say, I'm awfully sorry about last week. "

"Oh! it doesn't matter, " said Wyndham, who could not help being rathergratified to hear a monitor making apologies to him; "only I don't meanto go down again. "

"No, of course not; and if Gilks suggests it I'll back you up. By theway, " he added, in tones of feigned alarm, "I suppose you didn't tellhim about going to Beamish's, did you?"

"No, " said Wyndham, whose conscience had already reproached him severaltimes for not having confessed the fact. 

"I'm awfully glad of that, " said Silk, apparently much relieved. "Whatever you do, keep that quiet. "

"Why?" said Wyndham, rather concerned. 

"My dear fellow, if that got out--well, I don't know what would happen. "

"Why, is it a bad place, then?"

"Oh, no, not at all, " laughed Silk with a mysterious wink. "All serenefor follows like Gilks; but if it was known we'd taken _you_ there, we'dbe done for. "

Wyndham began to feel he had had a narrow escape of "doing" for his twopatrons without knowing it. 

"Promise you won't tell anybody, " said Silk. 

"Of course I won't, " said Wyndham, rather scornful at the idea oftelling tales of a schoolfellow. 

"Thanks; and I'll take care and say nothing about you, and Gilks won'teither, I know. So it'll be all right. I don't know what possessed thefellow to suggest going in there. "

All this was somewhat perplexing to Wyndham. He had never imaginedBeamish's was such a terrible place, or that the penalty of being foundthere was so severe. He felt that he had had a fortunate escape, andwas glad Silk had put him up to it before he had let it out. 

He became more friendly with his ally after this. There is always abond of attraction where a common danger threatens, and Wyndham feltthat, however determined he was not to be led away any more by thesefriends of his, it was just as well to be civil to them. 

So he even accepted an invitation to come and have tea in Silk's roomthat evening, to look at a volume of "Punch" the latter had got fromhome, and to talk over the coming boat-race. 

Had he overheard a hurried conversation which took place between Silkand Gilks shortly afterwards in the Sixth Form room he would have lookedforward to that evening with anything but eagerness. 

"Well?" asked Gilks. 

"Hooked him, I fancy, " said Silk. "He's coming to tea this evening. "

"Good man. How did you manage it?"

"Oh, and by the way, " said Silk, "that going to Beamish's last week wasno end of a crime. If it's found out it's expulsion, remember. Hebelieves it all. I've told him we won't let out on him, and he'spromised not to say a word about it. Fancy we've rather a pull on himthere. "

"You're a jolly clever fellow, Silk, " said Gilks, admiringly. 

"May be, but I'm not such a nice boy as you are, Gilks. "

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

THE SCHOOLHOUSE BOAT AT WORK. 

Giles and his ally knew their business well enough to see that they mustgo to work "gingerly" to recover their lost Limpet. Consequently whenWyndham, according to promise, turned up to tea in Silk's study, nothingwas said or done in any way likely to offend his lately awakenedscruples. 

The tea was a good one, the volume of "Punch" was amusing, and the talkconfined itself almost altogether to school affairs, and chiefly to thecoming boat-race. 

This last subject was one of intense interest to young Wyndham. Asbrother to the old captain, he was naturally eager to see his brother'sboat retain its old position on the river; and as an ardent schoolhouseboy himself, he had a further reason for wishing the same result. 

"You know, " said he, "I think our fellows are looking up, don't you, Gilks?"

"So fellows say, " replied Gilks; "of course, being in the boat myself, it's hard to tell. "

"But doesn't the boat seem to be going better?" asked Wyndham. "Itlooks to be going a lot better from the bank. "

"But you don't mean to say, young un, " said Silk, "you ever expect theschoolhouse will beat Parrett's?"

"I'm afraid they are rather strong, " said Wyndham, regretfully. 

"Strong!" said Silk; "they're the finest crew Willoughby's turned outfor years. Better even than the one your brother stroked last races. "

"And they mean winning, too, " said Gilks, "from all I hear. They'respecially set on it because they think they've been snubbed over thecaptaincy, and mean to show they _are_ the cock house, though the doctorwon't own it. "

"Well, " said Silk, "as I've not much faith in the Welchers' boat--infact, I'm not sure if they'll be able to get up a crew at all--I feeldelightfully impartial. "

"I hope you'll back us, " said Wyndham, earnestly. 

"Of course, old Gilks is one of your crew, " said Silk. 

"You know, " said the boy, "I'd give anything for our boat to win. Itwould be such a score for us, after all that has been said, wouldn't it, Gilks?"

"Well, fellows haven't been very complimentary about the schoolhouselately, certainly, " said Gilks. 

"No, they certainly haven't, " replied Wyndham. "By the way, Gilks, whatsort of cox does Riddell make?"

"Rather an amusing one, from all I can hear, " said Gilks. "He's notsteered the four yet; but he's had some tub practice, and is beginningto find out that the natural place for a boat is between the banksinstead of on them. "

"Oh, " said Wyndham, "I heard Fairbairn say he promised very well. He'sa light-weight, you know, and as the juniors are all stopped river-play, we shall have to get a cox. And if Riddell will do, it won't be a badthing any way. "

"I'm rather surprised they didn't try you for it, " said Gilks. "You'rewell-known, you know, and used to the river. "

"Oh, I'd rather Riddell did it if he can, " said Wyndham. "I know he'sawfully anxious to get it up. "

The talk went on like this, and trenched on no uncomfortable topic. Theonly reference to anything of the sort was when Silk said, just asWyndham was going, "Oh, Wyndham, I've told Gilks here that you'vepromised not to let out about Beamish's--"

"Yes, " said Gilks, "I wouldn't care for that to get about, young un. "

"Oh, of course I won't say anything, " said Wyndham. 

"Thanks, no more will we; will we, Silk?" replied Gilks. 

Silk assented and their visitor departed. 

"Young fool!" said Gilks, when he and his friend were left alone. "He'snot worth bothering about. "

"If it weren't for the other prig I'd agree with you, " said Silk. "Butdon't you think we can hit at his reverence occasionally through hisdisciple?"

"I dare say, " said Gilks. "The young prig had an innocent enough timeof it to-night to suit even him. How he does talk!"

"Yes, and isn't he hot about the race? I say, Gilks, I hope there'll beno mistake about Parrett's winning. I've a lot of money on them. "

"Never fear, " said Gilks. "It'll be rather a rum thing if I, rowing inthe schoolhouse boat, can't put the drag on them somehow. I don'texpect for a moment it will be wanted; but if it is, Gilks will be underthe painful necessity of catching a crab!"

"I don't mind how you do it as long as there's no mistake about it, "said Silk. With which ungenerous admission Gilks produced a couple ofcigar-ends from his pocket, and these two nice boys proceeded to spend adissipated evening. 

The reader will have guessed from what has already been said that thecoming boat-race was every day becoming a more and more exciting topicin Willoughby. Under any circumstances the race was, along with the Maysports and the cricket-match against Rockshire, one of the events of theyear. But this year, ever since it had come somehow to be mixed up withthe squabble about the captaincy, and the jealousy between Parrett's andthe schoolhouse, it had become more important than ever. 

Old Wyndham had, of course, left the schoolhouse boat at the head of theriver, but there was scarcely a boy (even in the schoolhouse itself) whoseriously expected it would remain there over the coming regatta. 

The Parrett's fellows were already crowing in anticipation, and thevictory of Bloomfield's boat was only waited for as a final ground forresisting the authority of any captain but their own. Their boat wascertainly one of the best which the school had turned out, and comparedwith their competitors' it seemed as if nothing short of a miracle couldprevent its triumph. 

But the schoolhouse fellows, little as they expected to win, weremeaning to make a hot fight of it. They were on their mettle quite asmuch as their rivals. Ever since Wyndham had left, the schoolhouse hadbeen sneered at as having no pretensions left to any athleticdistinction. They meant to put themselves right in this particular--ifnot in victory, at any rate in a gallant attempt. 

And so the schoolhouse boat might be seen out early and late, doinghonest hard work, and doing it well too. Strict training was the orderof the day, and scarcely a day passed without some one of the crewadding to his usual labours a cross-country run, or a hard grind in thebig tub, to better his form. These extraordinary exertions were asource of amusement to their opponents, who felt their own superiorityall the more by witnessing the efforts put forth to cope with it; andeven in the schoolhouse there were not a few who regarded all the workas labour thrown away, and as only adding in prospect to theglorification of the enemy. 

However, Fairbairn was not the man to be moved by small considerationssuch as these. He did not care what fellows said, or how much theylaughed, as long as Porter swung out well at the reach forward, andCoates straightened his back, and Gilks pulled his oar better throughfrom beginning to end. To secure these ends he himself was game for anyamount of work and trouble, and no cold water could damp either hisardour or his hopefulness. 

But the chief sensation with regard to the training of the schoolhouseboat was the sudden appearance of Riddell as its coxswain. As thereader has heard, the new captain had already been out once or twice "onthe quiet" in the pair-oar, and during these expeditions he had learnedall he knew of the art of navigation. The idea of his steering theschoolhouse boat had never occurred either to himself or Fairbairn whenhe first undertook these practices at the solicitation of his friend. But after a lesson or two he showed such promise that the idea didstrike Fairbairn, who mentioned it to one or two of his set and askedtheir advice. 

These judges were horrified naturally at the idea. Riddell was tooheavy, too clumsy, too nervous. But Fairbairn was loth to give up hisidea; so he went to Mr Parrett, and asked him if he would mind runningwith the schoolhouse pair-oar during the next morning's spin, andwatching the steering of the new captain. Mr Parrett did so; and wasnot a little pleased with the performance, but advised Fairbairn to tryhim in the four-oar before deciding. 

Fairbairn, delighted, immediately broached the subject to his friend. Poor Riddell was astounded at such a notion. 

_He_ cox the schoolhouse boat in the regatta!

"My dear fellow, " said he to Fairbairn. "I'm not a very exaltedpersonage in Willoughby as it is--but this would be the finishingstroke!"

"What do you mean--that it's _infra dig. _ to cox the boat?"

"Oh no!" said Riddell, "anything but that. But it might be _infra dig. _for the boat to be steered into the bank in the middle of the race. "

"Humbug, if that's your only reason. Anyhow, old man, come down and tryyour hand in the four to-morrow morning. "

Riddell protested that the idea was absurd, and that he wouldn't hear ofit. But Fairbairn reasoned him down. He hadn't steered them into thebank since the second morning--he hadn't tried steering the four-oar, how did he know he couldn't do it? Mr Parrett had advised the trialstrongly, and so on. 

"No, " said he, "the only question is your weight. You'd have to run offa bit of that, you know. "

"Oh, " said Riddell, "as to that, you can take as many pounds off me asyou like; but--"

"None of your buts, old man, " said Fairbairn. "I say, if we only wereto win, with you as cox, what a score it would be!"

"None of your `ifs, ' old man, " said Riddell, laughing. "But I'll cometo-morrow, if you are determined to have your way. "

"Of course I am, " said Fairbairn. 

This conversation took place the evening that young Wyndham was takingtea with Silk and Gilks in the study of the former. 

The intelligence that the new captain was to be taken out to steer theschoolhouse boat mysteriously got wind before the evening was over, andspread over the school like wildfire. Consequently, when Riddellarrived at the boat-house in the morning, he was surprised and horrifiedto find that nearly all Willoughby was awake and down at the river banksto see him. 

It was embarrassing certainly, and when presently the crew got intotheir seats and a start was made, it became evident the new coxswain wasanything but at home in his new position. The boat was a long timegetting clear of the landing stage owing to his persistently mistakingin his flurry his right hand for his left, and then when it did get outinto mid-stream the same reason prevented him from discovering that thereason why the boat would turn round instead of going straight wasbecause he had his right cord pulled hard the whole time. 

This spectacle, as may be imagined, afforded intense gratification tothe curious onlookers, and many and hilarious were the shouts which fellon the ears of the unlucky captain. 

"Oh, well coxed there!" one voice cried. 

"Well steered in a circle!" shouted another. 

"Mind you don't knock the bank down, " yelled a third. 

"Pull your right there!"

"Try him without the rudder. See if he don't steer better that way. "

In the midst of these uncomplimentary shouts the boat slowly wended itserratic course up the river, amidst crowds of boys on either bank. 

"Riddell, old man, " said Fairbairn, leaning forward from his place atstroke, "what's the row?"

It only needed a friendly voice to recall the captain to himself. By aneffort he forgot about the crowds and turned a deaf ear to the shouts, and straightening himself, and taking the lines steadily in his hands, looked up quietly at his friend. Richard was himself again. 

"Now then!" cried Fairbairn to his men behind, "row all!" and he ledthem off with a long steady stroke. 

For a little distance the boat travelled well. Riddell kept a goodcourse, and the whole crew worked steadily. The scoffers on the bankwere perplexed, and their jeers died away feebly. This was not a crewof muffs assuredly. Those first twenty or thirty yards were rowed in astyle not very far short of the Parrett's standard, and Parson himself, the best cox of Parrett's house, could hardly have taken the boat downthat reach in a better course. 

There was something ominous in this. But, to the great relief of theunfriendly critics, this showy lead was not maintained. Before ahundred yards were completed something seemed to go wrong in the boat. It rolled heavily and wavered in its course. What was wrong?

The fault was certainly not in Fairbairn, who kept doggedly to work inperfectly even style. Nor, to all appearance, was it in Riddell. Hewas evidently puzzled by the sudden unsteadiness of the boat, but no onecould lay it to his charge. 

"Who's that digging behind?" cried Fairbairn over his shoulder. 

None of the other three owned the soft impeachment, and the boat seemedto right itself of its own accord. 

Fairbairn, whose temper was never improved by perplexities, quickenedhis stroke, and gave his men a spell of hard work for a bit to punishthem. 

This seemed to have a good effect, and once again the onlookers werestartled to see how steadily and fast the boat was travelling. But onceagain the mysterious disturbance interrupted their progress. 

This time Fairbairn stopped short, and turning round demanded angrilywho it was who was playing the fool, for an effect like this could onlybe put down to such a course. Porter, Coates, and Gilks all repudiatedthe suggestion, and once more, amid the ironical cheers of theonlookers, Fairbairn resumed his work and lashed viciously out with hisoar. 

This last protest of his seemed to have had the desired effect, forduring the rest of the journey up to the Willows the boat travelledfairly well, though it was evident plenty of work was needed before thecrew could be considered in proper racing trim. But no sooner had theyturned and started for the home journey than once again the rollingsuddenly became manifest. Fairbairn rowed on a stroke or two withoutapparently noticing it, then turning sharply round in the middle of astroke he discovered the reason. 

The blade of Gilks's oar was about a foot under the surface, and hehimself was lurching over his seat, with the handle of the oar up toabout his chin. 

"What on earth do you mean by it?" demanded Fairbairn, angrily. 

"Mean by what?" asked Gilks. 

"By playing the fool like that; that's what I mean, " retorted Fairbairn. 

"Who was playing the fool?" snarled Gilks. "How can I help catching acrab when he's constantly turning the boat's head in the middle of astroke?"

"All rot!" said Fairbairn. 

"All very well for you at stroke, " said Gilks, viciously. "You come androw bow and see if you don't feel it. I'd like to know who could keephis oar straight with such steering. "

"If you'd row half as well as he steers, " said Fairbairn, "you'd row aprecious sight better than you do! You'd better take care, Gilks. "

"Take care of what, you fool?" demanded Gilks, whose temper was nowfairly gone. 

"Ready all, you fellows!" cried Fairbairn, stretching forward. 

This brief conversation had been heard only by those in the boat, butits purport had been gathered by those on the bank who had watched theangry looks and heard the angry voices of the speakers. 

"Bravo! fight it out!" cried some one, and the news that there was aquarrel in the schoolhouse boat added greatly to the zest of thecritics' enjoyment. 

Fairbairn's caution--whether purposely, or because he could not helpit--was lost upon the offending bow oar. The boat had scarcely startedagain when Gilks caught another crab, which for the moment nearly upsetthe crew. Fairbairn rowed on, with thunder in his face, regardless ofthe incident, and Riddell kept as straight a course as he could, despitethe unsteadiness. In due time the unsatisfactory practice came to anend, and the crew stood together again on the steps of the boat-house. 

Gilks seemed to expect, and every one else expected, that Fairbairnwould once more take the defaulter to task for his performance thatmorning, and Fairbairn did not disappoint him; though he dealt with thematter in a rather unexpected manner. 

"I shall want the tub-pair after third school, " said he to the boatman. "Riddell, will you come and cox. Crossfield and me?"

"Who--Crossfield?" asked Coates. 

"Yes; I shall try him for bow. "

"You mean to say, " exclaimed Gilks, taking the matter in, "you're goingto turn me out of the boat?"

"Certainly, " said Fairbairn, coolly. 

"What for?" demanded Gilks, threateningly. 

"Because, " replied Fairbairn, taking Riddell's arm and walking slowlyoff--"because we can do better without you. "

Gilks stared at him a moment as though he meditated flying at him. Ifhe did, he thought better of it, and turned away, muttering to himselfthat he would pay them all out, let them see if he did not. 

Threats of this sort were not unheard-of things from Gilks, and no onewas greatly disturbed by them. On the whole, Fairbairn's decision wasapproved of by most of the schoolhouse partisans, particularly those whohad watched the proceedings of the morning. A few thought Gilks mighthave been accorded a second chance, but the majority argued that if afellow caught crabs like that in a practice he would probably do it inthe race, and they did not want the risk of that. 

As to his excuse about the steering, every one who knew anything aboutthat knew it meant nothing, and Gilks did not repeat it. 

As he reached the school Silk met him with angry looks. 

"Is it true what I hear, " said he, "that you're out of the boat?"

"Yes, it is, " growled Gilks. 

"Why, you idiot! whatever have you done this for?"

"I did nothing. They wanted to get rid of me, and they did. "

"Yes, because you hadn't the ordinary sense to keep up appearances tillthe race, and must begin to practise your tricks a month beforehand!"said Silk, greatly enraged, for him. 

"All very well, " said Gilks, sullenly. "I should have liked to see yourowing your best with that puppy steering; thinking he's doing it sowonderfully, the prig!"

"And just because you hadn't the patience to hold out a week or two yougo and spoil everything. I didn't think you were such a fool, upon myword. "

Gilks was cowed by the wrath of his friend. 

"I couldn't help it, " he said. "I'm awfully sorry. "

"It's done us completely now, " said Silk. "For all we know they maywin. Who's to take your place?"

"Crossfield. "

"Just the man I was afraid. He's the best man they could have pickedout. I tell you what, Gilks, you'd better go and apologise and see ifyou can't get back into the boat. Who could have believed you'd be sucha fool! Go at once, for goodness' sake. "

Gilks, who saw his own mistake fully as well as his friend, obeyed. Hefound Fairbairn in his study with Riddell. The former seemed not at allsurprised to see him. 

"Fairbairn, " said Gilks, "I hope you'll let me stay in the boat. I'msorry I played the fool this morning. "

"Then you _were_ playing the fool?" demanded Fairbairn, to whom Riddellhad just been confiding that perhaps, after all, there had been somefault in the steering to account for it. 

"Yes, " said Gilks, sullenly. 

"Then, " said Fairbairn, hotly, "you may be a fool, but I won't be such abig one as to let you stay in the boat another day!"

Gilks glared a moment at the speaker. Evidently it would be no use toargue or plead further; and, smarting with rage and humiliation, nonethe less keen that Riddell had been present and heard all, he turnedaway. 

"You'll be sorry for this, you two, " he growled. "Humbugs!"

"Well rid of him, " said Fairbairn, as soon as he had gone. 

"Yes. I don't think much of him, " said Riddell, thinking as much ofyoung Wyndham and his temptations as of the schoolhouse boat. 

"Well, old man, " said Fairbairn, after a pause, "you steered awfullywell when you once began. Whatever made you so shaky at first?"

"My usual complaint, " said Riddell, smiling. "I was thinking what otherpeople were thinking. "

"Oh, " said Fairbairn, "unless you can give that up you may as well shutup shop altogether. "

"Well, if I must do one or the other, I think I'll keep the shop open, "said Riddell, cheerily. "By the way, " added he, looking at his watchand sighing, "I have to see some juniors in my study in two minutes. Good-bye. "

"Be sure you're down for the tub practice this afternoon. "

"I'll be there, " said Riddell. 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

BLOOMFIELD IN TRIBULATION. 

Bloomfield was beginning to discover already that the new dignity towhich he had been raised by his own partisans at Willoughby was anythingbut a bed of roses. Vain and easily led as he was, he was not a badfellow by any means; and when the mutiny against the new captain firstbegan, he flattered himself that by allowing himself to be set up inopposition he was really doing a service to Willoughby, and securing theschool against a great many disasters which were certain to ensue ifRiddell was left supreme. 

But in these lofty hopes he was getting to be a trifle disappointed. Inhis own house, of course, especially among those over whom he was wontto rule in athletic sports, his authority was paramount. But these, after all, constituted only a small section of Willoughby. Over therest of the school his influence was strangely overlooked, and even theterrors of his arm failed to bring his subjects to obedience. 

It was all very well at first, when the one idea was indignation againstthe doctor's new appointment. But as soon as the malcontents discoveredthat they had raised one more tyrant over their own heads, they began tofind out their mistake, and did their best to correct it. They arguedthat as they had elected Bloomfield themselves they weren't bound toobey him unless they chose; and when it came to the point of having togive up their own will in obedience to his, they remembered he was notthe real captain of Willoughby and had no right to order them!

So poor Bloomfield did not find things quite as comfortable as he hadexpected. 

One of the first rebuffs he got was administered by no less stately ahand than that of Master Telson of the schoolhouse. 

This young gentleman ever since his last unfortunate expedition in"Noah's Ark" had been somewhat under a cloud. His forced absence fromthe river for a whole week had preyed upon his spirits. And when at theend of that period he did revisit his old haunts, armed with a captain'spermit, it was only to discover that whatever small chance he ever hadof coxing his house's boat at the coming regatta, had vanished under thenew arrangement which had brought Riddell into the boat. 

It is only fair to say that this disappointment, keen as it was, had noeffect on his loyalty. He was as ready as ever to fight any one whospoke ill of the schoolhouse. But it certainly had given him a jar, which resulted in rather strained relations with some of his old alliesin Parrett's. 

Of course nothing could shake his devotion to Parson. That was securewhatever happened, but towards the other heroes of Parrett's, particularly the seniors, he felt unfriendly. He conceived he must havebeen the victim of a plot to prevent his steering the schoolhouse boat. It was the only reason he could think of for his ill-luck; and though henever tried to argue it out, it was pretty clear to his own mind someone was at the bottom of it. And if that was so, who more likely thanBloomfield and Game and that lot, who had everything to gain by hisbeing turned out of the rival boat?

This was the state of mind of our aggrieved junior one afternoon notlong before the regatta, as he strolled dismally across the "Big" on hisway to the river. Parson was not with him. He was down coxing hisboat, and the thought of this only reminded Telson of his own bad luck, and added to his ill-temper. 

He was roused from his moody reflections by the approach of two boys, who hailed him cheerily. 

"What cheer, Telson, old man?" cried King. "How jolly blue you look!What's the row?"

"Nothing, " replied Telson. 

"We've just been down to see the boats. Awful spree to see old Riddellsteering! isn't it, Bosher?"

"Yes, " said Bosher; "but he's better than he was. "

"Never mind, they won't lick us, " said King. "You should have seen ourboat! Bless you, those schoolhouse louts--"

"King, I'll fight you!" said Telson, suddenly. 

"Oh! beg pardon, old man, I didn't--eh--what?"

This last remark was caused by the fact that Telson was taking off hiscoat. King, utterly taken aback by these ominous preparations, protested his sorrow, apologised, and generally humiliated himselfbefore the offended schoolhouse junior. 

But Telson had been looking out for a cause of quarrel, and now one hadcome, he was just in the humour for going through with the business. "Do you funk it?" he asked. 

"Oh, no; not that, old man, " said King, still friendly, and very slowlyunbuttoning his jacket; "but I'll apologise, Telson, you know. "

"Don't want any apologising; I want to fight, " said Telson. "I'll takeyoung Bosher too. "

"Oh!" said Bosher, rather alarmed, "I don't want to fight. "

"I knew you were a beastly funk!" said Telson, scornfully. 

"No, I'm not, " said Bosher, meekly. 

"Get out of the way!" cried the majestic Telson, brushing past himtowards King, who now stood with his coat off and a very apologeticface, ready for the young bantam's disposal. 

Telson and King fought there and then. It was not a very sanguinarycontest, nor was it particularly scientific. It did Telson good, and itdid not do King much harm. The only awkward thing about it was thatneither side knew exactly when to stop. Telson claimed the victoryafter every round, and King respectfully disputed the statement. Telsonthereupon taunted his adversary with "funking it, " and went at himagain, very showy in action, but decidedly feeble in execution. King, by keeping one arm over his face and working the other gently up anddown in front of his body, was able to ward off most of the blows aimed, and neither aspired nor aimed to hit out himself. 

The "fight" might have lasted a week had not Game, coming up that wayfrom the boats, caught sight of it. As it was neither an excitingcombat nor a profitable one, the Parrett's monitor considered it a goodcase for interfering, as well as for calling in the authority of thepopular captain. 

"King and Telson, " he said, stepping between the combatants, "stop it, and come to Bloomfield's study after chapel. You know fighting in the`Big' is against rules. "

"What are we to go to Bloomfield for?" demanded Telson, whose temper wasstill disturbed. 

"For breaking rules, " said Game, as he walked on. 

"Shall you go?" said Telson to King as the two slowly put on theircoats. 

"Yes, I suppose so, or he'll give us a licking. "

"I shan't go; he's not the captain, " said Telson. 

"I say, you'll catch it if you don't, " said King, with apprehension inhis looks. "They're always down on you if you don't go to the captainwhen you're told. "

"I tell you he's not the captain, " replied Telson, testily, "and Ishan't go. If they want to report me they'll have to do it to Riddell. "

With which virtuous decision he went his way, slightly solaced in hismind by the fight, and still more consoled by the prospects of a rowahead. 

Telson was quite cute enough to see he had a strong position to startwith, and if only he played his cards well he might score off the enemywith credit. 

He therefore declined an invitation to Parson's to partake of shrimpsand jam at tea, and kept himself in his own house till the timeappointed for reporting himself to the captain. Then, instead of goingto Bloomfield, he presented himself before Riddell. 

"Well?" said the captain, in his usual half-apologetic tone. 

"Oh!" said Telson, "I'm reported, please, Riddell. "

"What for? Who reported you?" asked Riddell. 

"Game--for fighting, " replied Telson. 

"He hasn't told me of it. You'd better come in the morning. "

"Oh! it's all right, " said Telson. "I was fighting King in the `Big'this afternoon. "

Riddell looked perplexed. This was the first case of a boy voluntarilydelivering himself up to justice, and he hardly knew what to do. 

However, he had found out thus much by this time--that it didn't so muchmatter what he did as long as he did something. 

"You know it's against rules, " said he, as severely as he could, "andit's not the first time you've done it. You must do fifty lines ofVirgil, and stop in the house on Monday and Tuesday. "

"All right! Thanks, " said Telson, rapidly departing, and leavingRiddell quite bewildered by the apparent gratitude of his fag. 

Telson betook himself quietly to his study and began to write his lines. It was evident from the restless way in which he looked up at everyfootstep outside he did not expect to remain long undisturbed at thisharmless occupation. Nor was he disappointed. 

In about ten minutes King entered and said, "I say, Telson, you're infor it! You're to go to Bloomfield directly. "

"What's he given you?"

"A licking!" said King; "and stopped my play half a week. But I say, you'd better go--sharp!"

"I'm not going, " said Telson. 

"What!" exclaimed King, in amazement. 

"Cut it, " said Telson; "I'm busy. "

"He sent me to fetch you, " said King. 

"Don't I tell you I'm not coming? I'll lick you, King, if you don't cutit!"

King did "cut it" in a considerable state of alarm at the foolhardinessof his youthful comrade. 

But Telson knew his business. No sooner had King gone than he took uphis Virgil and paper, and repaired once more to Riddell's study. 

"Please, Riddell, " said he, meekly, "do you mind me writing my lineshere?"

"Not a bit, " said Riddell, whose study was always open house to hisyouthful fag. 

Telson said "Thank you, " and immediately deposited himself at the table, and quietly continued his work, awaiting the result of King's message. 

The result was not long in coming. 

"Telson!" shouted a voice down the passage in less than five minutes. 

Telson went to the door and shouted back, "What's the row?"

"Where are you?" said the voice. 

"Here, " replied Telson, shutting the door and resuming his work. 

"Who's that?" asked Riddell of his fag. 

"I don't know, unless it's Game, " said Telson. 

"Now then, Telson, " cried the voice again, "come here. "

"I can't--I'm busy!" shouted Telson back from where he sat. At the samemoment the door opened, and Game entered in a great state of wrath. 

The appearance of a Parrett monitor "on duty" in the schoolhouse wasalways a strange spectacle; and Game, when he discovered into whosestudy he had marched, was a trifle embarrassed. 

"What is it, Game?" asked Riddell, civilly. 

"I want Telson, " said Game, who, by the way, had scarcely spoken to thenew captain since his appointment. 

"What do you want?" said Telson, boldly. 

"Why didn't you come when you were sent for?" demanded Game. 

"Who sent for me?"

"Bloomfield. "

"I'm not Bloomfield's fag, " retorted Telson. "I'm Riddell's. "

"What did I tell you this afternoon?" said Game, beginning to suspectthat he had fallen into a trap. 

"Told me to go to the captain after chapel. "

"And what do you mean by not going?"

"I did go--I went to Riddell. "

"I told you to go to Bloomfield, " said Game, growing hot. 

"Bloomfield's not the captain, " retorted Telson, beginning to enjoyhimself. "Riddell's captain. "

"You were fighting in the `Big, '" said Game, looking uneasily at Riddellwhile he spoke. 

"I know I was. Riddell's potted me for it, haven't you, Riddell?"

"I've given Telson fifty lines, and stopped his play two days, " saidRiddell, quietly. 

"Yes, and I'm writing the lines now, " said Telson, dipping his pen inthe ink, and scarcely smothering a laugh. 

Game, now fully aware of his rebuff, was glad of an opportunity ofcovering his defeat by a diversion. 

"Look here, " said he, walking up to Telson, "I didn't come here to becheeked by you, I can tell you. "

"Who's cheeking you?" said Telson. "I'm not. "

"Yes, you are, " said Game. "I'm not going to be humbugged about byyou. "

"I don't want to humbug you about, " replied the junior, defiantly. 

"I think there's a mistake, you know, " said Riddell, thinking it rightto interpose. "I've given him lines for fighting in the `Big, ' andthere's really no reason for his going to Bloomfield. "

"I told him to come to Bloomfield, and he ought to have come. "

"I don't think you had any right to tell him to go to Bloomfield, "replied Riddell, with a boldness which astonished himself. "I'mresponsible for stopping fights. "

"I don't want you to tell me my business, " retorted Game, hotly; "whoare you?"

Game could have thrashed the captain as easily as he could Telson, andthe thought flashed through Riddell's mind as he paused to reply. Hewould much have preferred saying nothing, but somehow the present seemedto be a sort of crisis in his life. If he gave in now, the chance ofasserting himself in Willoughby might never return. 

"I'm the captain, " he replied, steadily, "and as long as I am captainI'm responsible for the order of the school, and I prefer to do my ownwork!"

There was something in his look and tone as he uttered these inoffensivewords which took Game aback and even startled Telson. It was not at alllike what fellows had been used to from Riddell, certainly very unlikethe manner he was generally credited with. But neither Telson nor Gamewere half so amazed at this little outburst as was the speaker himself. He was half frightened the moment he had uttered it. Now he was in forit with a vengeance! It would go out to all Willoughby, he knew, thathe meant to stand by his guns. What an awful failure, if, after all, heshould not be able to keep his word!

Game, with a forced smile which ill accorded with his inwardastonishment, left the study without another word, heedless even of thelaugh which Telson could no longer repress. 

Of course many perverted stories of their adventure immediately gotabroad in Willoughby. Telson's highly-coloured version made it appearthat a pitched battle had been fought between Game and the new captain, resulting in the defeat of the former chiefly through Telson'sinstrumentality and assistance. As, however, this narrative did notappear in the same dress two hours running, it was soon taken for whatit was worth, and most fellows preferred to believe the Parretts'version of the story, which stated that Riddell had announced hisintention of keeping order in Willoughby without the help of themonitors, and had had the cheek to tell Bloomfield to mind his ownbusiness. 

The indignation of Parrett's house on hearing such a story may beimagined. It was even past a joke. Bloomfield seriously offered toresign all pretensions to authority and let things take their course. 

"It makes me seem, " he said, "as if I wanted to stick myself up. Ifhe's so sure of keeping order by himself, I don't see what use it is mypretending to do it too. "

"It would serve him right if you did so, " said Game. "But it would beso awfully like giving in now, after you have once begun. "

This view of the matter decided the question. But Bloomfield all thesame was considerably impressed by what had happened. 

He knew in his heart that his only title to the position he assumed wasthe whim of his schoolfellows. He was a usurper, in fact, and howevermuch he tried to persuade himself he was acting solely for the good ofWilloughby, he knew those motives were only half sincere. And in spiteof all his efforts, the school was as rowdy as ever. If he did thrash abatch of juniors one day, or stop some disorderly Limpets of their play, it never seemed to make much impression. Whereas the one or two rioterswhom Riddell had ventured to tackle had somehow distinctly reformedtheir habits. How was it?

Bloomfield, as he thought the thing over, was not quite happy. He hadbeen happier far last term when, under old Wyndham, he had exertedhimself loyally for the good of the school. Was he not exerting himselfnow? Why should he be unhappy? It was not because he felt himselfbeaten--he scorned the idea--or that he felt unequal to the task beforehim. That too was preposterous. And yet, he felt, he certainly neededsomething. If only now he were first classic as well as captain of theclubs, what a pull he would have!

And as this thought occurred to him, he also recalled Crossfield'sfamous speech at the last Parliament and the laughter which had greetedit. Could he translate "Balbus hopped over a wall" without thedictionary? Ah! He thought sometimes he would try, just to prove howslanderous Crossfield's insinuation had been. The result of all thesecogitations was that Bloomfield began to discover he was not quite suchan "all-round" man as his friends had told him. And that being so, hadnot he better qualify himself like an honest man for his post?

He did not like to confide the idea to his friends for fear of theirlaughter, but for a week or two at least he actually read rather hard onthe sly. The worst of it was, that till the examinations next termthere could be nothing to show for it. For the Sixth did not changetheir places every day as the lower forms did. There was no chance ofleaping to the top at a bound by some lucky answer, or even of advancinga single desk. And therefore, however hard he worked this term, hewould never rise above eighteenth classic in the eyes of the school, andthat was not--well, he would have liked to be a little higher for thesake of Willoughby!

The outlook was not encouraging. Even Wibberly, the toady, and Silk, the Welcher, were better men than he was at classics. 

Suppose, instead of spending his energy over classics, he were to get upone or two rousing speeches for the Parliament, which should take theshine out of every one else and carry the school by storm? It was not abad idea. But the chance would not come. No one could get up a finespeech on such a hackneyed subject as "That Rowing is a finer Sport thanCricket, " or that "The Study of Science in Public Schools should beAbolished!" And when he did attempt to prepare an oration on thesubject of Compulsory Football, the first friend he showed it to pointedout so many faults in the composition of the first sentence thatprudence prompted him to put the effusion in the fire. 

Meanwhile his friends and admirers kept him busy. Their delight seemedto be to seize on all the youngsters they could by any pretext lay handson and hale them to appear before him. By this means they imagined theywere making his authority known and dealing a serious blow at the lessobtrusive captain in the schoolhouse. 

Poor Bloomfield had to administer justice right and left for everyimaginable offence, and was so watched and prompted by officiousadmirers that he was constantly losing his head and making himselfridiculous. 

He gave one boy a thrashing for being found with a paper dart in hishand, because Game had reported him; and to another, who had stolen abook, he gave only twenty lines, because he was in the second-eleven. Cusack and Welcher, who was caught climbing the schoolhouse elms oneMonday, he sentenced to an hour's detention; and Pilbury, whom he caughtin the same act on Tuesday, he deprived of play for a week--that is, hesaid he was not to leave his house for a week. But Pilbury turned upthe very next day in the "Big, " under the very nose of the Parrettcaptain, who did not even observe his presence. 

It was this sort of thing which, as the term dragged on, made Bloomfieldmore and more uncomfortable with his position. It was all very well forGame, and Ashley, and Wibberly to declare that but for him Willoughbywould have gone to the dogs--it was all very well of them to make gameof and caricature Riddell and his failures. Seeing is believing; andBloomfield, whose heart was honest, and whose common sense, when left toitself, was not altogether feeble, could not help making the unpleasantdiscovery that he was not doing very much after all for Willoughby. 

But the boat-race was now coming on. There, at any rate, was a spherein which he need fear no rival. With Parrett's boat at the head of theriver, and he its stroke, he would at any rate have one claim on theobedience of Willoughby which nobody could gainsay. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

TELSON AND PARSON GO TO AN EVENING PARTY. 

It was the Saturday before the boat-race, and the excitement ofWilloughby was working up every hour. Boys who were generally in thehabit of lying in bed till the chapel bell began to ring had been up atsix for a week past, to look at the practices on the river. Parliamenthad adjourned till after the event, and even the doings of the rivalcaptains indoors were forgotten for a while in prospect of the stillmore exciting contest out of doors. 

Everybody--even the Welchers, who at the last moment had given up anyattempt to form a crew, and "scratched"--found it hard to think or talkof any other subject, and beyond the school bounds, in Shellport itself, a rumour of the coming race had got wind and attracted many outsiders tothe river banks. 

But it was not the prospect of the coming race which this Saturdayafternoon was agitating the mind of Master Henry Brown. 

Brown was a Limpet, belonging to the schoolhouse, who occupied thedistinguished position of being the only day-boarder in Willoughby. Hisparents lived in Shellport, and thus had the benefit of the constantsociety of their dear Harry; while the school, on the other hand, wasdeprived of that advantage for a portion of every day in the term. 

It was probably to make up for this deprivation that Mr and Mrs Brownmade it a practice of giving an evening party once a term, to which thedoctor and his ladies were always invited, and also any two of dearHarry's friends he liked to name. 

In this way the fond parents not only felt they were doing a polite andneighbourly act to their son's schoolmaster and schoolfellows, but thatthey were also the means of bringing together teacher and pupil in aneasy unconstrained manner which would hardly be possible within thewalls of the school itself. 

It was the prospect of one of these delightful entertainments that wasexhilarating Brown this Saturday afternoon. 

And it must be confessed the excitement was due to very oppositeemotions in the breast of the day-boarder. The doctor and his ladieswere coming! On the last two occasions they had been unfortunatelyprevented, which had been a great blow to Brown's "pa and ma" but arelief to Brown himself. And now the prospect of meeting these awfuldignitaries face to face in his own house put him in a small panic. Buton the other hand, he knew there would be jellies, and savoury pie, andstrawberries, and tipsy-cake, at home that night. He had seen themarrive from the confectioner's that morning, and, Limpet as he was, Brown smiled inwardly as he meditated thereon. This was a second groundfor excitement. And a third, equal to either of the other two, was thatParson and Telson were invited and were coming!

He had tried one or two other fellows first. He had sounded Coates onthe subject, but he unfortunately was engaged. He had pressed Wyndhamto come, but Wyndham was busy that evening with the library. He hadappealed to one or two other schoolhouse Limpets, but all, on hearingthat the doctor and Co. Were to be present, respectfully declined. 

Finally Brown dropped upon Telson, and condescendingly proposed to himto be present as one of his two friends. 

Telson thought the matter over and fancied it promised well. He likedthe sound of the jellies and the tipsy-cake, and just at present he knewof no special reason for "funking" the doctor. As for the doctor'sladies, Telson had never seen them, so they did not weigh particularlywith him. 

"Who else is going?" he asked. 

"Oh, I don't know yet, " said Brown, rather grandly. "I've one or twofellows in my mind. "

"Why don't you ask young Parson?" suggested Telson, innocently. 

"Parson? he's not a schoolhouse kid. "

"I know he's not, but he and I are very chummy, you know. I wouldn'tmind coming if he went. "

"I'll see, " said Brown, mightily, but secretly relieved to know of someone likely to come as his second "friend. "

"All right, " said Telson. "I've not promised, mind, if he can't come. "

"Oh, yes, you have!" replied Brown, severely, as he left the room. 

In due time he found Parson and broached the subject to him. 

Parson viewed the matter in very much the same light as Telson had. Heliked the "tuck-in" better than the company. 

It never occurred to him it was odd that Brown should come all the wayfrom the schoolhouse to invite him, a Parrett's junior, to his feast;nor did it occur to him either that the invitation put him under anyobligation to his would-be host. 

"I tell you what I'll do, " said he, in a business-like manner, much asif Brown had asked him to clean out his study for him, "if you askTelson to come too, I'm game. "

Brown half doubted whether these two allies had not been consultingtogether on the subject, so startling was the similarity of theirconditions. 

"Oh! Telson's coming, " he said, in as offhand a way as he could. 

"He is! Then I'm on, old man; rather!" exclaimed the delighted Parson. 

"All right! Six-thirty, mind, and chokers!" said Brown, not a littlerelieved to have scraped up two friends for the festive occasion. Atthe appointed time--or rather before the appointed time, for theyarrived at twenty minutes past six--our two heroes, arrayed in theirSunday jackets and white ties, presented themselves at the house oftheir host. They had "put it on" considerably in order to get ahead ofthe doctor's party; for they considered that--as Parson expressedit--"it would be a jolly lot less blushy work" to be there before thehead master arrived. There was no doubt about their success in thislittle manoeuvre, for when the servant opened the door the hall was fullof rout seats, and a man, uncommonly like the greengrocer, in a dresscoat, was busily unpacking plates out of a small hamper. 

Into this scene of confusion Parson and Telson were ushered, and herethey were left standing for about five minutes, interested spectators, till the hall was cleared and the domestic had leisure to go and tellMaster Harry of their arrival. 

Master Harry was dressing, and sent down word they had better go intothe shoe-room till he came down. Which they did, and amused themselvesduring the interval with trying on Mr Brown's Wellingtons, and tyingtogether the laces of all Harry's boots they could discover. 

In due time Harry appeared in grand array. "How jolly early you are!"was his hospitable greeting. "You said six-thirty, didn't you?" saidTelson. "Yes; it's only just that now. Nobody will be here for aquarter of an hour yet. You had better come in and see ma. "

The two guests obeyed cheerfully. Ma was in the drawing-room, busilyadjusting the sashes of the three juvenile Misses Brown, with her mouthfull of pins. So all she could do was to smile pleasantly at her twovisitors and nod her head as they each came up and held out their handsto be shaken. 

"Better sit down, " suggested Brown. 

Parson and Telson thereupon retreated to the sofa, on the edge of whichthey sat for another five or ten minutes, looking about themcomplacently, and not attempting to break the silence of the scene. 

The silence, however, was soon broken by a loud double knock at the halldoor, which was the signal for Mr Brown, senior, to bolt into the roomin a guilty way with one cuff not quite buttoned, and stand on thehearthrug with as free-and-easy an air as if he had been waiting there aquarter of an hour at least. Knock followed knock in quick succession, and after the usual amount of fluttering in the hall, the greengrocerflung open the drawing-room door and ushered in Dr and Mrs Patrick, Miss Stringer, and half a dozen other arrivals. 

Our two heroes, sitting side by side, unnoticed on the edge of the sofa, had full opportunity to take stock of the various guests, most of whomwere strangers to them. 

As every one appeared to be about the doctor's age, things promisedslowly for Parson and Telson, whose interest in Brown's party decidedlylanguished when finally they found themselves swept off their perch andhelplessly wedged into a corner by an impenetrable phalanx of skirts. 

But this was nothing compared with a discovery they made at the sametime that they had missed their tea! There was a merry rattle of cupsand spoons in a room far off, through the half-open door of which theycould catch glimpses of persons drinking tea, and of Brown handing roundbiscuits and cake. The sight of this was too much to be borne. It wasat least worth an effort to retrieve their fatal mistake. 

"I say, " said Telson, looking for his friend round the skirts of astately female, "hadn't we better go and help Brown, Parson?"

Luckless youth! The lady in question, hearing the unexpected voice ather side, backed a little and caught sight of the speaker. 

"What, dear?" she said, benevolently, taking his hand and sitting downon the sofa; "and who are you, my little man?"

"My little man" was fairly trapped; there was no escaping this seizure. Parson got away safely to the tea-room, and the sight of him dodgingabout among the cakes and cups only added to the misery of the haplessTelson. 

"Who are you, my little dear?" said the lady, who was no other than MissStringer herself. 

Telson, fortunately for him, was ignorant of the fact--as ignorant, indeed, as Miss Stringer was of the fact that the little dear she wasaddressing was a Willoughbite. 

"Telson, ma'am, " said Telson, following Parson with longing eyes. 

"Johnny?" said the lady. 

"No--Augustus, " replied the proud bearer of the name. 

Miss Stringer surveyed him benevolently. He was a nice-looking boy, wasTelson--and the lady thought so too. 

"And will you give me a kiss, Augustus dear?" she said, with her mostwinning smile. 

What could Augustus do? A hundred desperate alternatives darted throughhis mind. He would bolt into the tea-room; he would shout for help; hewould show fight; he would-- But while he was making up his mind what hewould do, he found himself being kissed on the cheek in the mostbarefaced manner, before everybody, by this extraordinary female; and, more than that, being actually set down on the sofa beside her! He onlyhoped Parson or Brown had not seen it. 

Well for Miss Stringer she did not guess the wrath that boiled in thebosom of her small companion!

"And do you live here, dear?" inquired she, pleased to have thisopportunity of studying the juvenile human nature in which she was somuch interested. 

"No, I don't, " said Telson, surlily; then, suddenly recollecting he wasin polite though disagreeable company, he added, "ma'am. "

"And where do you go to school, pray?" inquired the spinster. 

"Oh, Willoughby, " replied Telson, who had gradually given up all hope oftea, and was making up his mind to his fate. 

Miss Stringer gave a little start at this piece of information, and wason the point of betraying her identity, but she forbore. "After all, "thought she, "he might be more constrained if I were to enlighten him onthat subject. "

"So you go to Willoughby, " she said, with interest. "And how do youlike it?"

"Oh, well enough, " said Telson, relenting somewhat towards his companionas she showed no further signs of kissing him. "Nice lot of fellows, you know, on the whole. "

"Indeed? Let me see, who is the head master?" inquired the lady. 

"Oh, Paddy--that old boy there by the fire. And that's Mrs Paddy therewith the curls. "

Miss Stringer appeared to receive another shock at this piece ofinformation, which, however, Telson, flattered by her evident interestin his remarks, did not take to heart. 

"And, " said she, presently, with a slight nervousness in her voice, "Ihope you like them?"

"Oh, " blurted out Telson, "Paddy's not so bad, but the dame's an oldbeast, you know--at least, so fellows say. I say, " added he, "don't youtell her I said so!"

Miss Stringer regarded him with a peculiar smile, which the boy at oncetook to mean a promise. So he rattled on. "And she's got a sister, orsomebody hangs about the place, worse than any of them. Why, when oldWynd--"

"And, " said Miss Stringer, suddenly--"and which house are you in--in theschoolhouse?"

"Hullo, then! you know Willoughby?" demanded Telson sharply. 

Miss Stringer looked confused, as well she might, but replied, "Ah! allpublic schools have a schoolhouse, have they not?"

"I suppose so, " said Telson. "Yes, I'm a schoolhouse fellow. I'm thecaptain's fag, you know--old Riddell. "

"Mr Riddell is the captain, then?"

"Rather! Do you know him?"

Poor Miss Stringer! How sad it is, to be sure, when once we go astray. She, the Griffin of Willoughby, was as much at the mercy of this honestunconscious fag as if he had caught her in the act of picking a pocket. For how could she reveal herself now?

"I--I think I met him once, " she said. 

"Where? at his home, was it?" asked Telson, who seemed to be urged by amost fiendish curiosity on the subject. 

"No, " faltered the lady; "it was--er--I think it was at Dr Patrick's. "

"Very likely, " said Telson. "He was up there to tea, I know, justbefore he was made captain. But I didn't know any one else was thereexcept Paddy and his hyenas. "

"His what, sir!" exclaimed Miss Stringer, in a voice which nearlystartled Telson off the sofa. 

"I mean, you know, the fellows--?"

"And where do you live at home?" asked Miss Stringer, determined tosteer clear of this awkward topic. 

"Oh, London, " said Telson; "do you know London?"

"Yes--it is indeed a wonderful place, " said Miss Stringer, "andwhereabouts does your father live?"

"Oh, my governor's in India, " began Telson. 

"Your who?" said Miss Stringer, with a feeble attempt at severity. 

"My dad, you know; and I live with my grandfather. Jolly old boy. Hewas at Willoughby when he was a boy. Did you know him then? I expecthe'll recollect you, you know. "

"I do not think, " said Miss Stringer, with a very ruffled countenance, "that your grandfather and I ever met. "

"Oh, I don't know. He recollects most of the old people down here, youknow. I say, there's Parson beckoning; he's my chum, you know. Iexpect he wants me to help with some of the things. "

And so saying off he went, leaving Miss Stringer, so to speak, fairlydoubled up, and in a state of mind which may be more easily imaginedthan described. 

Every one observed how singularly silent and retiring Miss Stringer wasall that evening. Some attributed it to the heat of the room, othersfeared she might not be well, others guessed she found the Browns'entertainment very slow; but no one, least of all Telson himself, had asuspicion of the true reason. 

That young gentleman and his ally, after finding out that there was notmuch chance of their services being required to "look after thethings"--the greengrocer being quite able to deal with the businesssingle-handed--found themselves once more stranded in the drawing-room, and gradually getting edged back by the skirts, when an unlooked-fordistinction rescued them from their perilous situation. 

The distinction was none other than a sign of recognition from thedoctor and a friendly signal to approach. 

Like a pair of small well-trained circus ponies the two friends obeyedthe summons and climbed over the intervening skirts. 

"Well, Telson and Parson, " said the doctor, shaking hands, "I'd no ideayou were here--how are you?"

"We got a captain's permit. Quite well, thank you, sir. "

"My dear, these are two of our boys, Telson and Parson. "

Mrs Patrick regarded the two boys in her usual precise way, and said, --

"Among so many boys under our roof, I find it impossible to rememberevery face. And which is Master Telson?"

"This is Telson, " said Parson. "He's in the schoolhouse, you know--"

"I do not know, " said Mrs Patrick, severely. 

"Don't you?" said Parson, with genuine astonishment. "He's captain'sfag, you know. "

"I must repeat I do not know, " reiterated Mrs Patrick. 

"Oh, well, he's only been that a little time, since the sports, youknow, when old Wyndham left. I say, ma'am, are you going to be at therace on Wednesday?"

Mrs Patrick looked somewhat baffled as she replied, --

"I think it very possible. "

"It'll be a jolly good race, " said Telson. "Old Parson is coxingParrett's, and it looks like a win for them. Only we aren't so bad, andnow Gilks is out of the boat and Riddell's settled as cox we ought tomake a race of it. Fairbairn's quite as long a reach as Bloomfield, only he doesn't kick his stretcher so hard--does he, Parson?"

"Rather not, " said Parson. "That's where we get the pull of you;besides, I'm a lighter weight than Riddell, though he's boiled down agood bit since he went into training. "

"Good deal depends on who gets the inside berth, " said Telson, delightfully oblivious of the bewildered Mrs Paddy's presence. "It's ajolly long swing round Willow Point for the outsiders--half a length atleast. "

"Yes; but it's just as bad round the corner at the finish the otherway. "

"Ah! talking about the race, I see, " said the doctor, returning to thegroup at this point. "So, Telson, Riddell's to steer your boat afterall. "

"Yes, sir, " said Telson; "it's settled now. "

"So that the schoolhouse boat is still the captain's boat, eh? Ah!Parson, though, I suppose, wants the Parrett's boat to win. "

"Parson coxes for Parrett's, " said Telson. 

"Parrett--I mean Mr Parrett--stopped my river-play a week, sir, " saidParson, by way of explaining the circumstance; "but I've had captain'sleave to row out since, so they kept me in the boat. "

This sporting conversation went on for some time longer, Mrs Patricknot venturing again to join in. At last the doctor broke up theconference of his own accord, and our two heroes, once more adrift, wentout for a lounge in the hall, as they explained, to cool themselves, butreally to be at hand for a bolt into the supper-room whenever the happymoment should arrive. 

It did arrive after what seemed to be a week's suspense and then thehardships and perils of the evening were fully compensated for. The twofriends got into a snug corner, "far from the madding crowd, " where, toput it mildly, they spent a very busy half-hour. They managed it well. Neither boy helped himself--he wouldn't be so greedy; but each helpedthe other. When Telson saw Parson's plate getting empty of sandwiches, he most attentively fetched him a clean one with a trifle on it; andwhen Telson had finally got through his jellies (for he had more thanone) it was Parson's brotherly hand which assisted him to an ice!

As they sat there they positively wished Brown's "pa and ma" gave aparty once a week!

But all good things come to an end, and so did this grand party. Guestsbegan to depart, and among the earliest were the doctor and his ladies. The doctor came up to the boys, and said, kindly, "We're driving up; youtwo had better come with us, there's plenty of room on the box. Now, mylove--now, Miss Stringer. "

Miss Stringer! Telson nearly fainted as he saw who it was who answeredto the name. 

"Let's walk up, " he said, entreatingly, to Parson. 

"I don't mind, only Paddy--"

"Now then, boys, " cried the doctor, "there's room for one inside. Telson, will you come?"

Telson bounded up on to the box without another word, and Parson besidehim, and the fly drove off. 

"Oh, Parson, old man, I'm a gone coon!" exclaimed Telson, in tones ofabject misery, as soon as they were clear of the Browns' premises. 

"Why, what's up?"

"Miss Stringer!"

"What about her? Isn't she a cad, eh?"

"Yes, and _I told her so_, " groaned Telson; "I didn't know who she was, and I said--"

"Hullo, I say, look there!" exclaimed Parson, suddenly catching hisfriend by the arm. 

They were passing the Aquarium, which at that moment was disgorging itsvisitors. Among those who emerged exactly as the doctor's fly passedwere three boys, whom Telson and Parson recognised in a moment. 

They were Silk and Gilks and another younger boy, who seemed to shrinkfrom observation, and whose head was turned another way as the flypassed. The three, immediately on gaining the street, started to runtowards Willoughby ahead of the fly. 

The two boys on the box pulled their caps over their eyes, and said nota word till the truants were clear. Then Telson said, "That was youngWyndham!"

"I know. I wonder if Paddy saw them?"

"Shouldn't think so. And they didn't see us. I say, will they get inbefore us?"

"It'll be a shave if they do. What a row there'll be if they don't!"

It was a curious thing that almost immediately after this short dialogueTelson's cap fell off into the road, and the fly had to be pulled upwhile he and Parson got down and looked for it. It was a dark night, and the cap took some time to find. When finally it was recovered, andprogress was resumed, full five minutes had been lost over the search, by which time the truants had got a clear half-mile to the good, andwere safe. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

THE BOAT-RACE. 

The few days that intervened between the Saturday of Brown's party andthe Wednesday of the great race were days of restless suspense inWilloughby. Even Welch's caught the contagion, and regretted at thelast hour that they had withdrawn from the all-important contest. As tothe other two Houses, there never had been a year when the excitementran so high or the rivalry grew so keen. Somehow the entire politics ofWilloughby appeared to be mixed up in the contest, and it seemed as ifthe result of this one struggle was to decide everything. 

The crews had worked hard up to the last, watched morning and evening byanxious spectators from the bank. The trials had been carefully notedand times compared, the variations in style had been eagerly criticised, the weights of the rowers had become public property, and in short everydetail likely to influence the result was a subject of almost painfulinterest to the eager partisans on either side. 

And every hour seemed to promise a closer race. Not that Parrett's hadfallen off. On the contrary, they still remained what they had been allalong, the smartest and strongest crew that Willoughby had ever put uponthe river. But the schoolhouse boat had made wonderful strides. It waslong since it had ceased to be the laughingstock of the hostile juniors, and it was some time since its appearance and work had begun to cause ashade of uneasiness in the minds of a few of the rival house. Fairbairn, far from Bloomfield's match in physique or style, had yetdisplayed an amount of steady, determined work which had astonished mostfellows, and inspired with confidence not only his partisans on thebank, but the three oarsmen at his back. By dint of patient, untiringpractice he had worked his crew up to a pitch of training scarcely hopedfor, and every day the schoolhouse boat had gained in style and speed. 

Had the race been a fortnight or three weeks later few boys would havecared to prophesy definitely as to the result. As it was, thoughParrett's was morally bound to win, it was clear the race would be afierce one, and hardly fought every foot. 

Such was the general opinion in Willoughby that Tuesday evening afterthe last practice had come to an end, and when the boats were finallyhoused for the night only to reappear next day in racing trim. 

Young Wyndham, as he sat in Riddell's study with his books before him, could as soon have done a stroke of work as fly over the schoolhouseelms. Indeed, it was such a farce for him even to make the attempt thathe shut up his books and gave up the idea. 

"I say, Riddell, " he said, presently, addressing the captain, who, though excited too after his own fashion, was poring determinedly overhis work. 

"Well?" asked he, looking up. 

"I say, _do_ you think there's any chance of our boat winning?"

The boy asked the question so anxiously that one might have supposed hiswhole happiness in life depended on the answer. 

"It's very hard to say, " said Riddell. "I think we have some chance, atany rate. "

"You did the course in as good time as Parrett's yesterday, didn't you?"said Wyndham. 

"Yes, but we had a better tide, " said Riddell. 

Wyndham's face clouded, for he knew it was true. 

"You _must_ win, I say, " said he, almost fiercely. 

Riddell smiled. 

"I mean to oblige you if I can, for one, " said he. 

"If they win, " said Wyndham, "it'll be--"

But what it would be the youthful enthusiast lacked words to express. 

Riddell turned again to his writing. 

"Hadn't you better finish your work?" said he. 

"Oh, I can't!" exclaimed Wyndham. "Who could work just before therace?"

So saying, he got up and gathered together his things. 

Riddell was sorry for this. He had hoped the boy would stay. Amid allhis fresh duties the new captain had kept his eye on his old friend'sbrother, and of late he had seen things which made him uneasy. Wyndhamwas on friendly terms again with his two undesirable patrons, andsimultaneously his work in the library and his visits to Riddell's ownstudy had become less regular. It all meant something, Riddell knew;and he knew, too, that that something was not any good. He made oneattempt to detain the boy. 

"You aren't going?" he said kindly. 

"Yes. It's really no use grinding, to-night, Riddell. "

"Won't you stop and keep me company, though?" asked the captain. 

"You're working, " said the boy. "I'll come to-morrow. Good-night. "

And he went, leaving Riddell very uncomfortable. Why should he be soeager to go? Why should he always seem so restless now whenever he wasin that study? Why should he always avoid any reference to--

Ah! here he was back again. A gleam of hope shot through Riddell'sbreast as he saw the door open and Wyndham re-enter. Perhaps, afterall, the boy was going to stay and give him a chance. But no, Wyndhamhad come back for his knife, which Riddell had borrowed for sharpening apencil. That was all he wanted; and having recovered it he departedquickly. 

Riddell spent the rest of that evening in low spirits. He had beenbaulked, and worse than that, he felt other hands were playing theirgame more successfully, and that amongst them all young Wyndham wasgoing wrong. 

So the eve of the great boat-race was anything but a cheerful eveningfor the new captain. 

But with the morning even Riddell could hardly harbour any thoughtsoutside the event of the day. Morning school that Wednesday was a farceall over Willoughby. Even the doctor seemed absent-minded, while one ortwo of the junior masters gave up the attempt in despair. 

The race was fixed for three o'clock, when the tide would be running upat its fastest, and long before that hour every advantageous point ofview on the banks was secured by eager spectators. These were by nomeans all Willoughby boys, for the school boat-race was always more orless of an event in Shellport itself, whose inhabitants flocked in largenumbers to the scene of the contest. 

Carnages lined the banks on either side for a considerable distance, andas usual the doctor's party assembled in great force on Willow Point. The towing-path was jealously kept clear for the schoolboys, who troopeddown in force the moment after lunch, and took possession of theirplaces along the course. Some crowded at the starting-point. Thesewere chiefly the more athletic heroes of the school, whose flannels andrunning-shoes bespoke their intention of following the race on foot. Others, less actively inclined, massed at various critical points alongthe course, some at the finish, but more opposite Willow Point, whichbeing just three-quarters of the way down, and almost within view of thegoal, was generally considered the most advantageous point of view ofthe whole race. 

At this point, in a snug corner above the path, with a fine view of thesharp bend of the river, and of the reaches up and down stream which metthere, sat Gilks and Silk. They knew probably as well as any one thatthe crisis of the race was pretty sure to be played out at WillowCorner, and not a few late comers looked up at their commanding perchwith envy. 

"Where's the young 'un?" said Silk. 

"Running with the race, " said Gilks. "I couldn't dissuade him. He'sgone daft over the thing. "

Silk laughed. 

"I'm afraid it'll be a blow to him, then. Young fool. I say, he was athis father confessor's last night. I wonder if he'll let out aboutSaturday night?"

"Not he. That is, " said Gilks, viciously, "I don't think he will. "

"Well, it might be warmish for him if he did. "

"Very warmish, " said Gilks, with a scowl, which it was just as well forWyndham's comfort he did not see. 

There was a silence, during which Gilks whistled to himself, and Silkregarded his ally with a smile. 

"You are a nice boy!" he broke out presently. And the laugh whichgreeted this very unoriginal observation closed the conversation for atime. 

Meanwhile, down at the boat-house things were getting very lively. 

Telson, Philpot, Pilbury, Cusack, King, and other of our juvenilefriends, who, with their usual modesty, proposed to run along with therace, and now formed part of the crowd which awaited the start, kept upa boisterous chorus of shouts, some of defiance, some of derision, someof applause, addressed alternately to foe and friend. 

The young Welchers especially, having no personal interest in the race, felt themselves delightfully free to make themselves objectionable toall parties, and took full advantage of the circumstance. 

They howled at everybody and everything. Whenever King and Boshergreeted the appearance of the Parrett's boat with a friendly cheer theyhooted; and no sooner did Telson sing out to welcome the crew of hishouse, but they caterwauled derisively in the same direction. 

"Jolly lot _they_ know about rowing!" yelled Cusack. 

"Why don't you give them some lessons?" retorted Telson, hotly. 

"Boo--hoo! Who got kicked out his boat! Young muller, couldn't steer atub. "

"I'll tub you, young Pilbury, see if I don't, presently, " repliedTelson. 

"Never mind them, " shouted King, "can't even make up a boat; pack offunks, all of them!"

"Hullo! who are you?" cried Philpot, rounding on these new assailants. "We'd have a boat, never fear, if there was any chance of fair play. "

"Lot of fair play you'd want, to turn the boat round and round and catchcrabs every other second!"

"There are our fellows!" cried Wyndham, raising a loud cheer asFairbairn, Coates, Porter, Crossfield, and Riddell appeared on thelanding stage. 

"Hurrah! schoolhouse, hurrah!"

"Ye-ow, look at them--there's a lot!" hooted the Welchers. 

"There's old Parson!" yelled Telson, Bosher, and King, as the youthfulhero in question strutted magnificently down to the landing. 

"What cheer, stuck-up jackass?" howled the Welchers, with an insultinglaugh; "why don't you grin?"

This remark was suggested by Parson grandly waving his handkerchief andsmiling to his admiring friends. 

But it is time to quit these friends and make our way to the boatsthemselves, which now lie waiting for their crews to embark. 

This is always a tedious process for onlookers. The shifting ofstretchers, the getting-out of oars, the arrangement of rudder strings, and the delicate trimming of the boat, may be interesting enough to thecrews themselves, but only feed the impatience of onlookers. 

And as usual hitches are bound to occur. Coates has got the oarbelonging to Crossfield. And when this mistake has been remedied, Bloomfield in the other boat suddenly discovers that his stretcher is alittle weak, and insists on waiting till a new one is brought. 

Finally everything is ready, and the two boats slowly swing out intomid-stream. The schoolhouse boat has won the toss, for it takes up theinside berth, amid the triumphant cheers of its partisans. 

"Hurrah! you're inside, " they cry. 

"Mind you put them into the bank, " is the derisive echo of the enemy. 

"Now, Fairbairn; now, you fellows, " cries Wyndham's voice. 

"Now, boss Riddell--mind your eye. Pull your left when you want to goright, " shout the facetious Welchers. 

Riddell had long got past the stage of being flurried by shouts from thebank. He feels nervous undoubtedly, but he does not look it, as hequietly tries his rudder-lines and settles himself on his seat. 

Fairbairn is as cool as ever. To look at him he might be just startingfor a quiet saunter up-stream. And the crew behind him are equallycomposed, as they lie on their oars waiting for the start. 

But the Parrett's crew, as they come smartly up and take their outsideberth, receive an ovation far beyond that of their rivals. They areundoubtedly the popular crew, as well as the favourites. 

Every man in the boat has done something for Willoughby in times past, and as the boys see their heroes ready now for a fresh triumph, theyforget all about their little tyrannies indoors, and cheer them likemad. 

"Bravo Parrett's. Bravo, Bloomfield! Hurrah, captain! You're to win. "

Even the Welchers for the moment join in the popular clamour. 

"Go it, you cripples!" cries Cusack, encouragingly; "no milksopcaptains. Two to one on Bloomfield!"

All this time the boats are lying in position. Mr Parrett on thelittle steam-launch behind surveys them critically, and satisfieshimself that all is square. Then he advances to the prow of his boatand shouts the usual question. 

The next moment he gives the word, and the two boats dart forward likearrows from a bow, and the race has begun. 

Gilks and Silk up above Willow Corner heard the shout which greeted thestart, and turned anxiously towards the direction from which it came. 

"They're off now!" said Silk, trying to appear more unconcerned than hereally was. 

"Yes; no mistake about it!" said Gilks, whose anxiety was certainly notless than that of his friend. 

"How long before we see them?"

"Three minutes; they ought to get into the School Reach by then. "

Neither spoke for a minute. Then Silk said, "What a row the fellows aremaking!"

"Yes, " said Gilks; "there's a bigger crowd than I ever saw down thisyear. "

Another silence. And then presently in the far distance, at the end ofthe School Reach, they could see first the smoke of Mr Parrett'slaunch, then a black moving crowd on the bank, and finally two whitespecks on the water. 

"There they are!" said Gilks. 

"Can you tell which is which?" asked Silk. 

"No, not yet. "

An anxious minute followed. The doctor and his party on the pointopposite left their tent and came down to the water's edge; spectatorswho had been getting tired of waiting now freshened up and made finaland desperate attempts to improve their position, while those who meantto fall in with the runners buttoned their jackets and turned up theirtrouser ends. 

"Schoolhouse inside!" exclaimed Gilks, suddenly, as the sun momentarilycaught the blue oars of the inside boat. 

This was all that could be ascertained for the moment. From where theysat the blue and the red flags seemed to be coming towards them exactlyabreast. 

The crowd advanced with a roar, above which it was impossible to hearthe name of the leading crew. But presently, as the two boatsapproached the corner, a slight turn inwards enabled them to answer thequestion for themselves. 

"We lead!" exclaimed Silk. 

Silk was a Welcher and Gilks a schoolhouse boy, but "we" meantParrett's. 

Yes, the red flag was ahead, though only a little. 

"How long before they're at the point?"

"Half a minute. I say, how splendidly the schoolhouse are steering, though!"

Silk laughed. "More than Parrett's are! Young Parson's taking themround rather sharp, isn't he?"

"No; he always turns in like that; it's better than the long sweep. Nowlook out!"

During this brief dialogue the two boats had come on towards the corner. As far as Gilks and Silk could see at present Parrett's led by abouthalf a length, which advantage, however, it stood to lose owing to itsoutside position at the corner. Parson, however, knew what he was abouteven better than Riddell, who had kept a magnificent course down thereach, but who now seemed afraid to take full advantage of the sharpcorner. The Parrett's coxswain, on the other hand, with his half-lengthto the good, began turning his boat's head early, even at the risk ofrunning dangerously close on his rival's water, and so saved as much aspossible of the lost ground. 

It was an anxious moment, for as the boats came round that corner so therace usually depended. The crowd on the banks well knew the crisis, andshouted out their warnings and encouragements to the rival coxswainswith redoubled eagerness. 

"Now then, Riddell! round you go! Pull your right!"

"Steered indeed, Parrett's! Bravo, Parson!"

The corner was half-turned, the boats lay nearly level, each coxswainpulling hard with his right line, when suddenly there was a shock in theParrett's boat, followed by a loud shout from Parson, and next momentthe boat was shooting helplessly straight towards the bank, from whichit was only saved by a prompt order to "Backwater all!" from Bloomfield. 

What could it be? The shouts on the bank died away into suddenstillness, and fellows forgot even to keep up with the schoolhouse boat, which, followed by the steam-launch, rowed steadily on towards thewinning-post. 

What was it? The answer soon became known, when Parson, standing in hisboat, waved the broken end of a rudder-line above his head. At thecritical point of the race this had failed, and in consequence all theefforts of the rowers were useless, and--and the schoolhouse boat wasHead of the River!

The rage, excitement, and disappointment at such an unlooked-fortermination to the great struggle was beyond description, as the readermay imagine. A general rush was made for the unlucky boat, and shoutsand recriminations and taunts and condolences bore witness to the mixedfeelings of the spectators. 

Some demanded a fresh race there and then, some suggested foul play, others urged the boat to row on and make the best race they could of it, others boldly claimed the victory for Parrett's, since they led at themoment of the accident. 

Amidst all this tumult the unlucky boat slowly backed into mid-stream, and turned towards home, Parson steering no longer by rudder but by wordof mouth. As it did so, a distant report announced that the schoolhouseboat had reached the winning-post; whereat the Parrett partisans set upa loud defiant shout, which they maintained during the entire homewardprogress of their ill-starred boat. 

Among the few who remained on the scene of the accident were Gilks andSilk, both pale and agitated. 

The latter, as has been said, was painfully interested in the result ofthe race. To him the defeat of Parrett's meant more than the meredisappointment of a hope or the humiliation by a rival. It meant theloss of a good deal more money than he possessed, and the miscarriage ofa good deal which he had expected with absolute confidence to win. Nowonder then that his face was white and his voice trembling as herounded on his friend. 

"You fool!" exclaimed he, with an oath. 

It was rather hard surely on Gilks, who may have encouraged his friendto rely on the victory of the Parrett's boat, but who certainly was asmuch astounded and mortified by the accident as he was. 

"There must be another race, " said he, hurriedly. "They can't take thisas decisive, I tell you. They _must_ have another. "

"You wouldn't have said so if the right boat had won, " said Silk, with asneer. 

"I can't make it out, " said Gilks, looking very miserable. 

"Fools never can, " snarled Silk, turning on his heel. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

FOUL PLAY. 

Willoughby reassembled after the eventful boat-race in a state of fever. The great event which was to settle everything had settled nothing, andthe suspense and excitement which was to have been set at rest remainedstill as unsatisfied as ever, and intensified by a feeling of rage anddisappointment. 

As boys dropped in in groups from the course, and clustered round theschool gate, one might have supposed by their troubled faces thatinstead of a rudder-line having broken both crews had been capsized anddrowned. 

The Parrett's partisans particularly were loud in their clamour for anew race, and many of them freely insinuated foul play as the cause ofthe accident. 

The schoolhouse, on the other hand, indignantly repelled the charge, anddared their opponents defiantly to meet them again. And amidst all thiswrangling and bickering, the Welchers dispensed their taunts andinvectives with even-handed impartiality, and filled in just what waswanted to make the scene one of utter confusion and Babel. 

"I tell you we'd have beaten them hollow, " shouted Wibberly to thecompany in general. 

"No you wouldn't!" retorted Wyndham; "we were ahead and our men were asfresh as yours, every bit!"

"Ya--boo--cheats! Told you there'd be no fair play with such a pack, "shouted the Welchers. 

"Look here, who are you calling a cheat?" said Wyndham, very red in theface, edging up to the speaker. 

"You, if you like, " shouted Pilbury and Cusack. 

"I'll knock your heads together when I catch you, " said Wyndham, withlofty disgust, not intending to put himself out for two juniors. 

A loud laugh greeted the threat. 

Meanwhile, fellows were running up every moment. Some who had beenwaiting for the boats at the winning-post had only just heard the news, and came in red-hot with excitement to learn particulars. 

"It's all a vile dodge, " howled Wibberly, "to get their boat to the headof the river. "

"I'll bet anything the precious captain's at the bottom of it, " shoutedanother. "He'd stick at nothing, I know. "

"Yes, and you'll see, now they'll funk another race!"

"Who'll funk another race?" roared the hot-headed Wyndham. "I'll rowyou myself, you asses, the lot of you. "

Another derisive laugh followed at the speaker's expense. 

"It's not our fault if your line broke, " cried a schoolhouse boy. "It'syour lookout. You should have seen it was right before you started. "

"Yes. You wouldn't have been so anxious for a new race if it was ourline had broken, " said Wyndham. 

"Yes, we would. We're not afraid of you!"

"Yes, you are. "

"No, we aren't. You're a set of cheats. Couldn't win by fair means, soyou've tried foul. "

"I'll fight any one who says so, " retorted Wyndham. 

How long the wrangle might have gone on, and to what riot it might haveled, cannot be told. It was at its hottest, and a general fight seemedimminent, when a diversion was caused by the sudden appearance of Parsonrunning at full speed up the path from the river. 

There was something unusual in the looks and manner of the Parretts'coxswain, which even his misadventure that afternoon was not sufficientto account for. He bore tidings of some sort, it was evident, and bycommon consent the clamour of the crowd was suspended as he approached. 

Among the first to hail him at shouting distance was Telson. 

"What's up, old man?" he cried. 

Parson rushed on a dozen yards or so before he answered. Then heyelled, in a voice half-choked with excitement, "The line was cut! It'sfoul play!"

The howl which arose from the agitated crowd at this amazing piece ofnews--amazing even to those who had most freely raised the cry of foulplay--was one the like of which Willoughby never heard before or since. Mingled rage, scorn, incredulity, derision, all found vent in that oneshout--and then suddenly died into silence as Parson began again. 

"They've looked at the place where it broke, " he gasped. "It's a cleancut half-way through. I knew it was foul play!"

Once again the shout drowned his voice. 

"Who did it?" shrieked a voice, before Parson could resume. 

Parson glared round wrathfully for the speaker. 

"I don't know, " he replied. "Sorry for him if I did!"

This valiant invective from the honest little fag failed even to appearludicrous in the midst of the general excitement. Further words werenow interrupted by the appearance of the Parretts' crew coming slowly upthe walk. 

This was the signal for a general cheer and rush in their direction, inthe midst of which the defeated heroes with difficulty struggled up tothe school. Wrath and indignation were on all their faces. In reply tothe hundred inquiries showered upon them they said nothing, but forcedtheir way through the press sullenly, heedless of the cheers of theirsympathisers or the silence of their opponents. 

The crowd slowly fell back to let them pass, and watched them disappearinto the school. Then they turned again towards the path from theriver, and waited with grim purpose. 

The news announced by Parson and confirmed by the black looks of theinjured crew had fallen like a thunderbolt, and for the momentWilloughby was stunned. The boys could not--would not--believe that oneof their number could be guilty of such an act. And yet, how could theydisbelieve it?

In a few minutes there was a cry of "Here they are!" and at the samemoment the schoolhouse crew appeared on the walk. They, victors thoughthey were, looked troubled and dispirited as they approached, talkingeagerly among themselves, and unconcerned apparently about the crowdwhich in ominous silence awaited them. 

They certainly did not look like guilty persons, and it is most probablenot even the wildest libeller in Willoughby would have cared positivelyto charge any one of them with the dishonourable deed. 

But for all that, they had won in consequence of that deed, and that wasquite sufficient to set three-fourths of the crowd against them. 

As they came up a loud groan and cries of "Cheats! Foul play!" suddenlyarose. Startled by the unexpected demonstration, the five heroes lookedup with flushed faces. 

"Cheats! Cowards!" reiterated the hostile section, beginning at thesame time to surge towards them. 

Foremost among these was Tucker of Welch's house and Wibberly ofParrett's, who, as the crowd behind pressed forward, were carried withtheir abusive taunts on their lips into the midst of the schoolhousegroup. The latter, as may be imagined, were in anything but the humourfor an assault of this sort, and their leaders instantly resented it ina _very_ practical manner. 

"Where are you coming to?" demanded Fairbairn, flinging Wibberly fromhim into the arms of his followers. 

Before Wibberly could recover his balance the crowd had closed in by asudden impulse, and with a loud shout had set upon the crew. 

"Have them over, Parrett's!" shouted a voice, as Wibberly staggered backa second time before Fairbairn's stalwart arm, while at the same momentTucker received a similar rebuff from Crossfield. 

The summons was promptly answered, and a dash was made on the fiveschoolhouse boys with a view to carrying out the threat literally, whenWyndham's voice shouted, "Rescue here! schoolhouse, come on!"

Instantly the whole crowd seemed to resolve itself by magic into twoparties, and a short but desperate battle ensued. 

The fire had been waiting for weeks for a match, and now the flare-uphad come. Nobody knew whom he hit out at or by whom he was attackedthat forenoon. The pent-up irritation of half a term found vent in thatfamous battle in which the schoolhouse boys fought their way inch byinch up to the door of their house. 

Luckily for them, the most formidable of their rivals were not upon thefield of action, and in due time the compact phalanx of seniors, aidedby Wyndham and his band of recruits, forced their way through superiornumbers, and finally burst triumphantly through and gained theirstronghold. 

But the victory was hardly bought, for the slaughter had been great. 

Coates had a black eye, and Porter's jacket was torn from his back. Riddell had twice been knocked down and trodden on, while Wyndham, Telson, and others of the rescuing party were barely recognisablethrough dust and bruises. On the other side the loss had been evengreater. Tucker and Wibberly, the only two monitors engaged, werecompletely doubled up, while the number of maimed and disabled Limpetsand juniors was nearly beyond counting. 

So ended the great battle at the school gate, and it ended only just intime, for as the schoolhouse boys finally gained their quarters, and theenemy picked itself up and turned surlily schoolwards, the doctor andhis party arrived on the scene and gave a finishing touch to the rout. 

That evening was a sore one for Willoughby. Sore not only in respect ofbruised bodies and swollen faces, but still more in the sense ofdisappointment, suspicion, and foul play. 

Among the most violent of the Parrett's the whole mystery of the thingwas perfectly clear. These philosophers could see it all from beginningto end, and were astonished any one else should be so dull as not to seeit too. 

"Of course, it's a regularly arranged thing, " said Wibberly, whose facewas enveloped in a handkerchief and whose lips were unusually thick. "They've vowed all along to keep their boat at the head of the river, and they've managed it. "

"Yes, " said another. "They knew what they had to expect if Bloomfieldgot there. I can see it all. "

"But you don't mean to say, " said Strutter, "the Premier, " "that youthink any one of those fellows would do such a thing as cut our rope?"

"I don't know, " said Wibberly. "I don't see why they shouldn't. Idon't fancy they'd stick at a trifle, the cads!"

"If Gilks had been in the boat, " said another, "I could have believed itof him, but he was as anxious for us to win as we were ourselves. "

"No wonder; he and his friend Silk have been betting right and left onus, I hear. "

"Well, I suppose there's bound to be a new race, " said Strutter. 

"I don't know, " replied Wibberly. "I'd be just as well pleased ifBloomfield refused. The vile cheats!"

Bloomfield, be it said to his credit, was no party to these recklessaccusations. Mortified as he was beyond description, and disappointedby the collapse of his ambition, he yet scouted the idea of any one ofhis five rivals being guilty of so dirty a trick as the cutting of hisboat's rudder-line. At the same time he was as convinced as any onethat foul play had been at the bottom of the accident, and theperpetrator of the mean act was undoubtedly a schoolhouse boy. Whatmortified him most was that he did not feel as positive by any means asothers that his boat, without the accident, would have won the race. Hehad been astonished and even disheartened by the performance of therival crew, who had stuck to him in a manner he had not looked for, andwhich had boded seriously for the final result. 

It was this reflection, more even than the thought of the broken line, which troubled him that evening. Could it be possible that his luck wasdeserting him?

His companions were troubled by no such suggestion. Indignation was theuppermost feeling in their breasts. Whoever had done the deed, it was avile action, and till the culprit was brought to justice the wholeschoolhouse was responsible in their eyes. 

"I wonder a single one of them can hold up his head, " exclaimed Game. 

"I hope to goodness Bloomfield won't demand a fresh race. _I_ won't rowif he does, " said Ashley. 

"And the worst of it is they'll try to make out now they would have wonin any case. I heard one of them say so myself this very afternoon. "

"Let them say what they like, " said Ashley. "Nobody will believe them. "

Perhaps these hot-headed heroes, had they been able to overhear aconversation that was going on at that very time in the captain's study, would have discovered that at any rate it was not the immediateintention of the schoolhouse to insist that the victory was theirs. 

Riddell had recovered somewhat from his rough handling that afternoon, but he looked pale and dejected as, along with his friend Fairbairn, hesat and discussed for the twentieth time the event of the day. 

"It's quite evident we must offer them a fresh race, " said he. 

"Yes, I think so, " said Fairbairn. "It's hard lines, for I expect itwon't be easy to get our men up to the mark again after they are oncerun down. "

"We can't help that, " said Riddell. "It's the least we can do. "

"Of course. But I don't see, Riddell, old man, that we are bound tohang down our heads over this business. Whoever did it did as mean atrick to us as ever he did to them. I'd like to have him a minute ortwo, even if he was my own brother. "

"Well, " said Riddell, "to my mind it seems like a disgrace to the wholehouse, and the least we can do is to offer to row again. "

"Oh, rather; that's settled. I say, " added Fairbairn, "I'd giveanything to get at the bottom of it. I saw the boats locked up lastnight, and I was there when they were taken out this morning. I can'timagine how it was done. "

"It seemed a clean cut, didn't it?"

"Yes; about three-quarters of the way through. Whoever did it must havebeen up to his business, for he only touched the right cord on which allthe strain comes at the corner. "

"It must have been done between five o'clock yesterday and thismorning, " said Riddell. "If the cut had been there yesterday the linewould have given at the corner to a certainty. "

"Oh, yes; it must have been done in the night. "

"Doesn't the boatman know anything about it?"

"No; I asked him. He says no one opened the door after the boats hadgone in except himself and the boat-boy. "

"It's horribly mysterious, " said Riddell. "But, I say, hadn't we betteroffer the new race at once?"

"All serene. "

"Had we better write?" asked Riddell. 

"No; why? What's the use of looking ashamed?" said Fairbairn; "let's goto them. Bloomfield's sure to be in his study. "

The two boys went accordingly, and found the Parrett's captain in hisstudy along with Game and Ashley. It was rarely indeed that theschoolhouse seniors penetrated uninvited into the headquarters of theirrivals. But on this occasion they had a right cause at heart and honestconsciences to back them. 

But it was evident at a glance they had fallen on unfriendly society. Game, quite apart from his state of mind with regard to the accident, had not forgotten his repulse at the hands of the new captain a week ortwo ago, nor had Bloomfield quite got over the indirect snub he hadreceived on the same occasion. 

Riddell himself had almost forgotten the circumstance, and attributedthe unencouraging aspect of the rival seniors entirely to the day'smisadventure. 

"Excuse us coming over, " said he, feeling that a beginning must be madeto the interview, "but we wanted to tell you how sorry our fellows areabout the race. "

"Have you found out who did it?" asked Bloomfield. 

"No, " said Riddell, "and we can't even guess. "

"But what we came for specially, " broke in Fairbairn at this point, "wasto say we are quite ready to row you again any day you like. "

There was a touch of defiance in the tone of the schoolhouse strokewhich was particularly irritating to the Parrett's boys. 

"Of course, we would row you--" began Bloomfield. 

"But we don't mean to, " broke in Game, "till this ugly business iscleared up. "

"What do you mean?" asked Fairbairn. 

"You know what we mean, " said Game, warmly. "As soon as you find outwho cut our line we'll go out on the river again. "

"Yes; we don't mean to row you till that's done, " said Ashley. 

"How on earth are we to find out who cut your line any more than you?"said Fairbairn, losing his temper. 

"There's no doubt he must be a schoolhouse fellow, " said Bloomfield, whobut for his friends would have been disposed to accept the challenge. 

"I'm afraid he is, " said Riddell. 

"Well, I won't row again till we know who he is, " repeated Ashley. 

"Do you suppose _we_ know who he is?" demanded Fairbairn. 

"You're the proper people to find out, that's all I know, " said Ashley. 

"Then you mean to say you won't row again?" asked Fairbairn. 

"No, if it comes to that, " said Bloomfield. 

"Why, " said Game, "the same thing might happen again. "

"If you'd looked to your lines before you started, " said Fairbairn, hotly, "it wouldn't have happened. "

"We shall certainly make a point of looking at them again when next werow you, " said Ashley, with a sneer. 

Fairbairn seemed inclined to retort, but a look from Riddell deterredhim. 

"Then you won't row again?" he repeated once more. 

"No. "

"Then we claim to-day's race, " said Fairbairn. 

"You can claim what you like, " said Game. 

"And our boat remains at the head of the river. "

"It doesn't matter to us where it remains, " replied Ashley. "You maythink what you like and we'll think what we like. "

It was evidently useless to attempt further parley, and the twoschoolhouse boys accordingly retired, bitterly disappointed to bethwarted of their only chance of righting themselves and their house inthe eyes of Willoughby. 

It soon got to be known there was to be no second race, and, as usual, all sorts of stories accompanied the rumour. The enemies of theschoolhouse said openly that they had refused Bloomfield's demand for anew race, and intended to stick to their ill-gotten laurels in spite ofeverybody. On the other side it was as freely asserted that Parrett'shad funked it; and some went even so far to hint that the snapping ofthe rope happened fortunately for the boat, and saved it under cover ofan accident from the disgrace of a defeat. The few who knew the realstory considered Bloomfield was quite right in refusing another racetill the culprit of the first should be brought to justice. 

But the two fellows on whom the announcement fell most severely wereGilks and Silk. For if the race of that day was to stand, theschoolhouse boat had definitely won the race, and consequently they wereboth losers to a considerable extent. 

They had counted almost certainly on a second race, but now that thishad been decided against, their wrath and dismay knew no bounds. Theyspent the evening in vituperations and angry discussion, and ended it inwhat was very little short of a downright quarrel. Indeed, if youngWyndham had not opportunely arrived on the scene shortly before bedtimeand created a diversion, the quarrel might have come to blows. 

Wyndham burst into the room suddenly. 

"Has either of you seen my knife?" he enquired; "I've lost it. "

"Have you?" inquired Silk. 

"Yes; I fancy I left it here last night. I say, have you heardParrett's won't accept a new race?"

"I wonder why?" asked Silk. 

"Because they say they won't have out their boat again till the fellow'sfound who cut the lines. "

"Well, I don't blame them--do you, Gilks?" said Silk. "I supposethere's no idea who he is?"

"Not a bit, " said Wyndham; "I wish to goodness there was. Some fool, Iexpect, who's been betting against Parrett's. "

"I could show you a fool who's been betting on Parrett's, " said Silk, "and who's decidedly up a tree now! I say, young 'un, I suppose youcouldn't lend me a sov. Till the end of the term?"

"I've only got half-a-sov. In the world, " said Wyndham. 

"Well, I'll try and make that do, thanks, " said Silk. 

Wyndham pulled out his purse rather ruefully and handed him the coin. 

"Mind you let me have it back, please, " he said, "as I'm saving up for aracket. And I say, " added he, leaving, "if you do come across my knife, let's have it, will you?"

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

BOSHER, HIS DIARY. 

Probably no two boys in all Willoughby were more excited over the resultof the famous boat-race than Parson and his dear friend Telson. And itis hardly necessary to state that this agitation arose from totallyconflicting reasons. 

Parson's indignation found solace in the most sweeping and vehementinvectives his vocabulary could afford against the unknown author of thedastardly outrage upon his rudder-line. By an easy effort ofimagination he included the whole schoolhouse, root and branch, in hisanathemas, and by a very trifling additional effort he discovered thatthe objects of his censure were guilty, every one of them, not only ofthis particular crime, but of every crime in the Newgate Calendar, frompicking pockets to murder. He fully agreed with the decision of hischiefs to have nothing more to do with such a graceless crew till theinjury was atoned for; and meanwhile he felt himself at perfectliberty--nay, it was his painful duty--to insult, abuse, and maltreat, as occasion offered, every one unlucky enough to wear the schoolhouseribbon on his cap. 

This being the case, it may be imagined his friend Telson (who, by theway, had barely recovered from the shock of Brown's party) found himselfin a very delicate position. For in the whole of his code of honour twopoints were paramount with him. One was loyalty to the schoolhouse, theother was loyalty to Parson. How these two duties could be carried outnow, at one and the same time, was a source of much anxiety to theperplexed Augustus. 

He too was as indignant about the whole affair as his friend. But hiswrath was aimed first of all against those who dared to insinuate thatany schoolhouse boy could have been guilty of the evil deed, and nextagainst the Parretts' authorities for refusing Riddell's and Fairbairn'soffer of a new race. 

He and his friend had a long and painful discussion of the wholequestion an evening or two later in the study of the latter. 

"It's all very well, " said he, "to say it's a schoolhouse chap has doneit--"

"I tell you a schoolhouse chap _must_ have done it, " said Parson. "Whoelse would do such a dirty trick?"

"I'll fight you, old man, if you go on like that, " observed theschoolhouse fag. 

"Oh, beg pardon, " said Parson, apologetically. "I mean who else couldhave done it, you know?"

"A Welcher might, " suggested Telson. 

"What would be the good to him? They hadn't a boat. Besides, they allgo against Riddell, don't they?"

"Well, I mean to say, " said Telson, falling back on to the nextgrievance, "your fellows ought to row us again. We'd have rowed youagain like a shot if our line had smashed. _We_ don't funk you. "

"And do you think we funk you? A pack of--I mean, " added Parson, pulling up in time, "do you think we funk you?"

"Why don't you row us again, then?"

"Because there's no honour in the thing while your fellows go in forbeastly low dodges like that, " replied Parson. 

"I tell you, " said Telson, finding it very difficult to keep in with hisfriend, "we did not do it. I say we didn't do it; there!"

"What's the use of your saying that when you know no one but aschoolhouse fellow _could_ have done it?" demanded his friend. 

"I tell you we didn't do it, " repeated Telson, "and you've got to provewe did before you say we did, " added he, with triumphant emphasis. 

"You've got to prove you didn't, " replied Parson, not to be beaten inthis line of argument. 

"How can I prove we didn't when--when we didn't do it?" cried Telson, making up in noise for what he lacked in logic. 

"I knew you couldn't prove it!" said Parson, triumphant in his turn. "Iknew it was one of your blackguard--"

"All right, old man, I _shall_ fight you, " said Telson. 

"I didn't mean, old man, really, " said Parson. "What I mean to sayis--"

"I don't care what you say, " said Telson. "What I say is, we did _not_do it!"

"All very well, " replied Parson, "but I'm certain you did. "

"How are you certain, I'd like to know?"

"Because, I tell you, " said Parson, slowly and incisively, "it couldn'thave been done by any one else. "

"How do you know it couldn't?" asked Telson warmly. 

"There you are! If you didn't do it you'd be able to prove it, but youcan't, you see. "

And so this edifying argument went on, or rather round, very much afterthe style of a dog trying to catch his tail, and at its close Parson andTelson stood as far from solving the mystery as ever. 

This slight difference of opinion, however, could hardly fail to resultin a little mutual irritation, and for the first time in theirfriendship the two boys felt as if they did not love one another exactlylike brethren. It was therefore no small relief when further argumentwas abruptly cut short by the entrance of King, looking particularlycheerful and important. 

"Hullo, you two!" exclaimed he. "Guessed I'd find you here. Such alark!"

"What is it?" asked the two friends, delighted with any diversion. 

"Why, " exclaimed the delighted King, "you know Bosher?"

"What about him? What's he done?"

"Guess. "

"It's not he that cut the rudder-line, is it?" asked Telson. 

"No, of course not. But, just fancy, he keeps a diary!"

"What!" exclaimed the other two, laughing, "old Bosher keep a diary!How do you know that?"

King looked very mysterious, and then said, laughing, "I say, what wouldyou give for a squint at it?"

"Have you got it, then?"

"Rather, " said King, producing a small notebook from his pocket. "Ifound it in the Big just now. "

The notion of Bosher keeping a diary had been amusing enough, but thechance of looking at such a production was irresistible. 

The boys did make one languid protest, more, however, to relieve theirconsciences than to dissuade one another from the meanness of lookinginto another boy's diary. 

"Rather low, perhaps, " said Telson, "to look at a fellow's notes. "

"I don't know, " said King. "If a fellow keeps a diary he must expect itto be looked at if he leaves it about. I know I should. "

"Well, yes, so should I too, " said Parson. "Besides, you know, ofcourse we wouldn't tell any one else. "

"Rather not, " said Telson. "But you know, Parson, " he added, seriously, "it's just possible he might have something about the rudder-line in it, and it would be a great thing to clear that up, wouldn't it?"

"So it would, " said Parson, seating himself at the table. 

Telson and King did the same, and Bosher's diary was forthwith opened. 

To all appearance Bosher was the most unlikely boy in all Willoughby tokeep a diary. He was not usually credited with overmuch intelligence, and certainly not with much sentiment, and the few remarks he didoccasionally offer on things in general were never very weighty. He wasa good-tempered, noisy, able-bodied fag, who was at any one's service, and who in all his exploits did about as much work for as little gloryas any boy in the school. 

The present discovery certainly revealed him in a new and startlinglight, and it was with a feeling somewhat akin to awe that the threeboys who called themselves his friends set themselves to the task ofinspecting his private--his very private diary. 

The small volume dated from the beginning of the term, and the firstentry the trio examined may be taken as a fair specimen of its generalcontents. 

"`May 20. The twentieth of May. I awake at 5:37, and got up at 5:43. My motive is to see the boats. It was a beautiful and fine morning. The early birds were singing gladly wore my flannels for running alongwith the boat. '"

Bosher was a little shaky occasionally in his punctuation, which willexplain any apparent incoherence in the above and following sentences. 

"`I sang as I dressed except while washing The Minstrel Boy. Startedout at 6:2--met Parson in the Big. Parson thinks too much of himself. '"

"Sharp chap, Bosher, " said King. 

"I'll pull his nose when I see him, " said Parson, who, however, did notappear very deeply affronted so far. 

The reading continued. 

"`Parson ran on and left me alone. Now that I am alone let me muse onmy past life and hope it will be better only the schoolhouse boat wasout. I think they or our boat will win. Nice seeing them row Gilkscatches a crab'" (this was previous to Gilks's ejection from the boat). "`Entered chapel at 1 to 8. King was there eating toffee. '"

"Hullo, King, _you're_ all right. When this diary's published some day, you'll figure all serene, " said Telson, laughing. 

"Wait a bit, " said King, "your turn's coming. "

"`At breakfast sit opposite Telson. He eats vulgar. Thou shouldest nottalk with thy mouth full, Telson, I prithee. '"

The readers fairly broke down at this point. Telson had to admit thathis turn _had_ come, and relieved himself by announcing that he would_prithee_ his candid chronicler some day in a way which would astonishhim. 

"`Meditations at breakfast, ' continued the diary. `The world is verybig. I am small in the world. I will ambition twenty lines for grossconduct with Harrison--throwing bread I repent entirely. Parson wantedme to do his "Caesar" for him. '"

"Oh, what a whacker!" exclaimed Parson. 

"`I declined, owing to not knowing--'"

"I can believe that!" added Parson. 

"`Both detained for gross conduct not knowing verbs my home is far away. Let out at 12:28. '"

"What rot it is!" exclaimed Parson, looking up. "What a howling youngass he must be to put it all down!"

"I guess he didn't expect we'd see it, " said Telson. "But, I say, wecan't read it all. Let's see what he says about the boat-race. "

This was agreed to, and the eventful day was turned to. 

"`Rose at 7:3, '" began Telson, reading--"oh, we don't want that. Let'ssee, `Attended chapel at half a minute to eight. Half a minute more Ihad been too late. That had been bad alas had I been bad it had beenbad for me next to Wyndham in chapel. Wyndham hath lost his knife herequested me had I seen it. I answered nay I had not. He said--' Oh, what frightful bosh it is, I say!"

"So it is; but it would be a spree to see what he says about the race. "

"That'll be pages on, at the rate he goes at, " said Telson, whippingover a few leaves. "Let's see. `Gross conduct with King talking inclass King meanly tells Parrett he is a beastly sneak. '"

"What does he say?" exclaimed King. "I told Parrett he was a beastlysneak? What crams the fellow tells! Fancy me saying that to Parrett!All I said was I wasn't talking!"

"Why, I see it, " said Parson. "He's left out a semi-colon or something;the `he's a beastly sneak' means _you_, old man. `King meanly tellsParrett. He [that is, King] is a beastly sneak. ' That makes it allright. "

"Does it?" cried the indignant King--"does it make it all right! I'llmake it all right for him, I can promise him. I never sneaked of him inmy life!"

"Wire in, old man, and get to the race, " urged Parson impatiently. 

"Here, this looks like it, " said Telson, reading. "`Being the boat-raceno afternoon school I am pleased. A vast mass on the towpath I being inflannels waited twenty-three minutes for the start. Meditating as Istood, how vast is the world. ' (Hullo! he had that before; that seemsto be his usual meditation. ) `How vast is the world. I am small in theworld Parson is a conceited ass. '"

Parson turned very red in the face, of course, at this unexpected turn, which, however, his two companions greatly enjoyed. 

"`Parson is a conceited ass--'"

"I say, you needn't go over it twice, " expostulated the injured youth. 

"`A conceited ass, '" continued Telson, his voice wavering withsuppressed laughter. "`He thinks he is a great man but he's little inthe world and fond of gross conduct. He and Telson are the conceitedestasses in Willoughby. '"

This double shot fairly broke down the gravity both of reader andaudience, and it was some little time before the diary could proceed. The account of the race which followed was evidently not original. Itappeared to be copied verbatim from an account of the last UniversityBoat-race, with a few interpolations intended to adapt it to the presentcircumstances. It began thus:

"`Punctually at half-past eight ["eight" scratched out and "three"substituted] Mr Searle [altered to Mr Parrett] gave the signal to go, and at the word the _sixteen_ oars dashed simultaneously into the water. The Oxonians were the first to show a lead, and at the Creek ["Creek"scratched out and nothing substituted] were a foot to the good. TheCraydle is a pleasing river with banks running up from the sea to slopesup the Concrete Wall this advantage was fully maintained ["maintained"altered to "lost"]--'"

"Oh, skip all that, " said Parson impatiently; "go on to the part aboutWillow Corner. "

"`About a mile from home the Oxford stroke ["stroke" altered to"Bloomfield"] spurted, and the dark blue flag ["dark blue" altered to"schoolhouse"] once more shot ahead. Gross steering by Parson, who Iallude to above, who steers his boat into the bank and breaks rudder-line. It is ascertained Fairbairn and others are suspected. After thisa ding-dong race ensued to the finish where eventually the dark [alteredto "light"] blues won by a foot [altered to "mile"] Parrett's havinggiven in owing to Parson who is alluded to above. '"

"Oh, I say, this is a drop too much, " exclaimed the wrathful Parson, rising. "I'll pay him out for this, see if I don't!"

"Don't be an ass, Parson, " said Telson. "Sit down, can't you? You'veno business to look at his diary at all, you know, if it comes to that. "

Parson sat down with a wrathful countenance, and Telson proceeded. 

"We shall not see a new race as I hear Riddell and Bloomfield declining. I spoke to Parson who completely repents. He suspects Telson who heascertains is the one to do it. It is gross. How many things go wrong. Wyndham hath not found his knife he requested me had I seen it. Ianswered nay, not so. I have composed these verses which I will setdown here as they may recall the past:--

"`My name is Norval [altered to "Bosher"], on the Grampian [altered to"Willoughby"] hills. My father [altered to "Doctor Patrick"] feeds hisflocks [altered to "boys"]'. "

"Well, " said Telson, as he closed the thrilling narrative, and tossed itback to King, "I never thought Bosher was up to much, but I didn't knowhe was a downright lunatic. "

"Oh, I don't know, " said King. "It's not so bad. I tried to keep adiary once, but I could never find anything to say. "

"Well, I guess Bosher's not hard-up in that line, " said Telson, laughing. "But, I say, we ought to give it to him back somehow. "

"I'll give it to him back pretty hot!" exclaimed Parson. "I vote weburn the boshy thing. "

"Oh, you can't do that. You'd better smuggle it back into his studysomehow, King, without his knowing. "

"All serene, " said King, pocketing the book. "Hallo! who's thiscoming?"

As he spoke there was a sound of hurrying footsteps in the passageoutside, and immediately afterwards the door opened and revealed noneother than the sentimental author of Bosher's diary himself. 

Just at present, and luckily for him, he did not appear to be in asentimental mood; his face was a little scared and mysterious-looking ashe hurriedly stepped into the room and shut the door after him. 

"Look out, I say!" he exclaimed, "the Welchers are coming!"

This magic announcement dispelled in a moment whatever resentment mayhave lurked in the minds of any of the three students on account of thediary. In the presence of a common danger like this, with the commonenemy, so to speak, at the very door, they were all friends and brothersat once. 

"Where? How do you know?" demanded the three. 

"I was looking for a book I had lost, " said Bosher, "in the Big near ourdoor, and I heard Cusack tell Pilbury to wait till he went and saw ifthe coast was clear. So they'll be here directly. "

"Jolly lucky you heard them, " said Parson. "What shall we do, youfellows?"

There was a slight interval for reflection, and then Telson said, "Fancythe jug dodge is about the best. They won't be up to it, eh?"

This proposal seemed to meet with general approval, and as time wasprecious Parson's tin jug, full of water, was forthwith hoisted adroitlyover the door, and delicately adjusted with nail and twine so that theopening of the door should be the signal for its tilting over anddisgorging its contents on the head of the luckless intruder. It wassuch an old method of warfare that the conspirators really felt halfashamed to fall back upon it, only time was short and the enemy mightcome any moment. As an additional precaution, also, a piece of thetwine was stretched across the doorway about three inches from theground, with the considerate purpose of tripping up the expectedvisitors. And to complete the preparations, each of the besieged armedhimself with an appropriate weapon wherewith to greet the intruders, andthus accoutred sat down and waited the event with serene minds. 

The event was not long in coming. Before many minutes a stealthyfootstep was heard outside, which it was easy to guess belonged to thespy of the attacking party. Parson motioned to the others to be silent, and seated himself at his table, with a book before him, in full view ofthe key-hole. The little manoeuvre evidently told, for the footstepswere heard stealthily hurrying away, and the watchers knew the main bodywould soon be here. 

It seemed no time before the approaching sounds gladdened theirexpectant ears. The invaders were evidently walking in step and tryingto imitate the heavy walk of some senior, so as to give no suspicion oftheir purpose. 

The besieged smiled knowingly at one another, glanced up at thesuspended jug, and then softly rising with their weapons at the ready, calmly awaited the assault. 

Whoever knew a set of Parrett's juniors caught napping? The Welcherswould have to be a precious deal more cunning than this if they expectedto score off them. 

The footsteps advanced and reached the door. There was a brief pause, the handle turned, Parson gave the signal, and next moment--Mr Parrettentered the study!

As he opened the door the jug overhead, true to its mechanism, tiltedforward and launched a deluge of water over the head and shoulders ofthe ill-starred master, just as he tripped forward over the string andfell prone into the apartment, while at the same instant, accompanied bya loud howl, one sponge, two slippers, and a knotted towel flew into hisface and completed his demolition. 

What Mr Parrett's reflections may have been during the few secondswhich immediately followed no one ever found out. But, whatever theywere, it is safe to say they were as nothing compared with the horrorand terror of the youthful malefactors as they looked on and saw whatthey had done. 

With a cry almost piteous in its agony, they rushed towards him andlifted him, dripping and bruised as he was, to his feet, gazing at himwith looks of speechless supplication, and feeling crushed with all theguilt of actual murderers. 

It spoke volumes for Mr Parrett's self-control that, instead of sittingand gaping foolishly at the scene of the disaster, or instead ofsuddenly hitting out right and left, as others would have done, he tookout his handkerchief and proceeded quietly to dry his face while hecollected his scattered thoughts. 

At length he said, "Are these elaborate preparations usually kept uphere?"

"Oh no, sir!" cried Parson, in tones of misery. "Indeed, sir, we neverexpected you. We expected--"

His speech was cut short by a fresh noise outside--this time the realenemy, who, little guessing what was going on within, halted a momentoutside before commencing proceedings. Then, with a simultaneous war-whoop, they half-opened the door, and, without entering themselves, projected into the centre of the room--a bottle! Pilbury and Cusack hadnot studied natural science for nothing!

The strange projectile smashed to atoms as it fell, and at the sameinstant there arose a stench the like of which the nose of Willoughbyhad never known before. 

Mr Parrett and the boys choked and made a dash for the door, but theenemy were hanging on to the handle in full force, and it was at leasttwo minutes before the almost suffocated Parson could gasp, "Open thedoor! do you hear? Mr Parrett's here; let him out. "

"Won't wash, my boy!" cried a mocking voice--"won't wash! Wait a bit, we've got another bottle for you when you're quite ready!"

"Let me out, boys!" cried Mr Parrett as well as he could for chokingand holding his nose. 

"Tell you it won't wash, my boy!" cried the insulting voice outside. "Try again! Have a little more sulphuretted hydrogen. Jolly stuff, isn't it? Hold on, you fellows, while I chuck it in!"

The idea of another bottle was more than any one could endure. 

Mr Parrett groaned and cleared his throat for another summons, butParson was before him. 

"I say, " cried he, in positively piteous tones, "we give in. I'llapologise, anything--do you hear?"

"Eh--go down on your knees, then, " cried the enemy. 

"I am, " said Parson. 

"Is he? the rest of you? is he on his knees? both of them?"

"Yes, he is, " cried Bosher. "Honour bright. "

"Well then, say `I'm a beastly cad, and a funk, and a sneak, and Iknuckle under and will never do it any more. '"

"I'm a beastly cad, " gasped Parson, choking with shame, anger, andsulphuretted hydrogen, "and a funk, and a sneak, and I knuckle under andwill never do it any more. "

"Now all the rest of you say it!"

Telson, Bosher, and King obeyed, one after the other. 

"Is that all of you?"

"Yes, " said Parson, terrified at the prospect of Mr Parrett having togo through the ordeal. "Telson, Bosher, King, and I are the only boyshere. "

"All serene, " cried the jubilant voice outside, "open the door, youfellows!"

We draw a veil over the scene which followed!

Mr Parrett hurried out of the room the moment the door was open, merelyturning to say, "Come to me all of you at seven to-night!"

And then with his handkerchief still over his mouth he hurried off. 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

A SURPRISE IN STORE. 

For a few minutes, as the disconcerted and terrified youngsters stood ina small band at Parson's study-door and watched Mr Parrett slowlyretreat down the passage, it seemed as if the final crisis in the careerof every one present had arrived. 

It would have been bad enough to be caught in the midst of a simple freefight and sent up to the doctor. But the case was far more terriblethan that! For Mr Parrett had been fearfully and wonderfully mixed upin the whole affair. A few weeks ago the Parrett's juniors had donetheir best to drown him; now they had done their best to drown him andbreak his neck and crack his skull all at one onslaught; and as if thatwasn't enough, the Welchers had stepped in at the same moment and addedpoison and suffocation to the other crimes of which the unlucky masterwas the victim. 

Of course he would think it from the beginning to end one elaborate andfiendish plot against his life. It would not matter to him which boyscommitted one assault and which another. He had figured as the victimof all parties, and all parties, there could be no doubt, would now beincluded under one terrific sentence. 

In the presence of this common doom, schoolhouse, Parretts, and Welchersfor the first time that term showed symptoms of a passing brotherhood. 

They stood rooted to the spot and speechless for at least two minutesafter the ill-starred master had vanished, then Telson--usually thefirst to recover his wits--whistled drearily and low, "Whew! we willcatch it!"

"Think we'll be expelled?" said Cusack. 

"Shouldn't wonder, " said Parson, retreating slowly into his study, followed by the rest. 

"He'll send us up to the doctor, certain, " said King. 

There was a long unpleasant pause, at the end of which Cusack said, "Well, it's no use staying here. Come on, you fellows. "

"May as well stay, " suggested Parson. "We'd better all turn uptogether. "

So it was decided not to break up the party, and that evening theunwonted spectacle of Telson, Parretts, and Welchers, sitting amicablytogether in one study, might have been noted as one of the greatestwonders of that wonderful term. 

Of course boys could not sit and talk of nothing. And of course it washardly to be expected they would confine their conversation altogetherto a review of their misdeeds. The talk gradually became general, andoccasionally even animated. 

"Guess Pil and I will have to shut up chemistry after this, " saidCusack. 

Pilbury smiled grimly. 

"What do you call the beastly stuff?" asked Telson. 

"Sulphuretted hydrogen, " said Cusack, briskly. "First of all you takea--"

"Oh, shut up shop! We don't want a chemistry lecture, " broke in Parson. 

There was a brief pause, then Philpot asked, "I say, is it true then, there's not going to be a new race?"

"Of course not, " said Parson; "what's the use when we can't be sure offair play?"

"Jolly right too, " said Cusack, delighted to agree with his old enemyfor once; "those schoolhouse cads are cheats, every one of them?"

"All right!" exclaimed Telson jumping up; "I'll fight you, young Cusack, for that!"

Cusack was somewhat taken aback by this unexpected outbreak, but wasinclined, nevertheless, to accept the challenge. Parson, however, interfered peremptorily. 

"Look here, " he said, "we're in quite enough row for one day, withoutwanting any more. So shut up, you fellows, do you hear?"

"Make him apologise, then, " said Telson, wrathfully. 

"Oh, all serene. Nobody was hurting you, " said Cusack. 

"Do you apologise, or do you not?" demanded Telson. 

"I didn't say I didn't, did I?"

This was as much as the irascible schoolhouse fag could expect, so hesat down again. 

"You know, " said Pilbury, anxious to make things _quite_ pleasant again, "a lot of the fellows say the schoolhouse would have won in any case. "

"I'd like to know who says that, " demanded Parson, whose turn it now wasto be angry. 

"Oh, everybody in our house. They looked like winning, you know, fromthe very start, didn't they, Pil?"

"Yes, a lot you and your friend Pil know about rowing, " sneered Parson. 

"Know as much as you do!"

"Pity if you know such a lot you can't put a boat on the river. "

"I tell you what we'll do, " said Cusack. "Pil and I will row any two ofyour lot; there now. Funk it, eh?"

Parson looked hard at the speaker, and then glanced at Telson. Telsonglanced back at Parson, and then eyed the Welchers grimly. 

"You'd promise fair play?" asked Parson. 

"Of course we would; we always do. "

"You'd _give_ us fair play, then?" demanded Parson. 

"Yes, honour bright. "

"All serene. Telson and I will row you; eh, Telson?"

"Rather!" said Telson, "and give them a start too. "

"All very well, you fellows, " said King, "but suppose we're all expelledto-morrow. "

This unpleasant suggestion took away most of the interest in theproposed race, and it was decided to defer further arrangements till thefate of the parties should be decided. 

After this the party waited gloomily till seven o'clock came, and then, in decidedly low spirits, rose in a body and repaired to Mr Parrett'sstudy. 

Had they been aware of the actual state of that amiable athlete's mindfrom the moment they last saw him, handkerchief in mouth, hurrying downthe passage, till now, their trepidation would have been considerablyrelieved. The first thing Mr Parrett had done on regaining his roomafter that "bad quarter of an hour" with his juniors was to throwhimself into a chair and laugh heartily. 

The fact was, his sense of humour was inconveniently acute for themaster of a public school, so that what would strike other masters as aheinous offence, occurred to him more as a ludicrous chapter ofaccidents. And to Mr Parrett's mind a more ludicrous chapter ofaccidents had rarely occurred in his history. He saw the whole matterat once, and the more he thought about it the funnier it all seemed. And yet, funny as it was, it was a painful necessity that disciplinemust be maintained, and that however much he enjoyed the joke he must besevere on the jokers. 

When, therefore, the group of youthful culprits slowly filed into hisroom, his voice was stern and his countenance betrayed no symptoms ofthe amusement which lurked beneath. 

"Now, you boys, " said he, surveying the anxious array carefully, "whathave you to say for yourselves?"

"Please, sir, " began Parson, Telson, and Cusack, all at a breath. 

"Stop, " said Mr Parrett; "only one at a time. You, Parson, what haveyou to say?"

"Please, sir, " said Parson, "we're all awfully sorry. It was quite anaccident, really. "

"What was an accident?" demanded Mr Parrett. 

"Why, you getting mauled about like--"

"Tell me, Parson, " said Mr Parrett, pinching himself to keep himselfgrave, "was it an accident that your water-can was hung over the doorand the string stretched across the bottom of it?"

"Oh no, sir; not that, but--"

"Was it an accident that you had missiles in your hands and threw themin the direction of the door as it was opened?"

"No, sir. "

"Then, sir, what was the accident?"

"You were the accident, please, sir, " said Parson, sadly. 

"I guessed so. And for whom were these preparations intended, pray?"

"For the Welchers, sir, " began Parson, longing to launch out into a fullexplanation; "and please, sir--"

But again the master pulled him up short, and, turning to Cusack and hisbrother Welchers, said, "And you--_your_ preparations were for--?"

"For the Parretts, sir, " broke in Cusack. 

"Just so, " said Mr Parrett, deliberately. "And now just listen to me. This is not the first time I have had to speak to some of you for thisvery conduct. "

Parson, Telson, Bosher, and the other Parretts looked very dejected atthis point. 

"And it is by no means the first time this term that all of you havebeen guilty of similar disturbances. Most of you here look frightenedand uneasy enough now. I wish I could believe it was because you knowyou have been doing wrong and disgracing the school, instead of merelybecause I happened to have suffered by your bad conduct. But suchconduct must be put a stop to. For the remainder of the term each oneof you will lose one hour's play a day except Saturdays. "

A shudder, half of anguish, half of relief, went round the smallassembly at this first clause of Mr Parrett's sentence. The nextclause was still more severe. 

"For the remainder of this term, too, none of you will be allowed to gointo any house except your own, under any pretence, without _my_ leave, or the Doctor's. "

Telson and Parson looked at one another and groaned inwardly. Theycould hardly realise what this cruel sentence involved, but they knew itmeant that life would hardly be worth living for the next six weeks. 

"And, " continued Mr Parrett, "I have one more thing to say. Some ofyou here are in my house, and every one of you, I see, is in my form inThird School. You are most of you idle boys, and, as you know, thereare plenty in the same Form better behaved and more industrious thanyourselves. "

"Oh yes, sir, " said Parson, frankly. 

"What I shall do during the remainder of the term is this, " said MrParrett. "If I hear of any other case of disturbance between the boysof different houses, in which any one of you are implicated, I intend topunish the entire Form, and stop every boy's play for one day. It restswith you, therefore, to decide whether such a thing shall take place ornot. But if you give me reason, I shall most certainly do it!"

Mr Parrett spoke severely, and looked as good as his word. He hadcarefully weighed his words beforehand, and he knew tolerably well theboys with whom he had to deal. They were noisy boys, and troublesomeboys, and cheeky boys, and idle boys, but they were honest on the whole, and the master calculated pretty shrewdly on the effect which this lastdecision would have on their conduct. 

As long as it was a mere question of getting his own particular selfinto a row, not one of these boys fixed any precise limit to hisdisorderly instincts; but when it came to getting a whole lot of otherboys into the row too, a new and very embarrassing difficulty arosewhich was fairly insurmountable. 

Mr Parrett dismissed the boys sternly, and then, trusting he had doneright, and trusting still more to be able to turn the better qualitiesof his noisy young pupils to some good purpose, he went straight to thedoctor and told him what he had done. 

Dr Patrick fully approved of the decision of his colleague, and whileon the subject opened his mind to him on the question of the disciplineof Willoughby generally. 

"Have you been able to judge at all of the order of the school lately, Parrett?" he said. 

"Well, sir, " said Mr Parrett, "I'm not sure that it is as good as itshould be. Of course, it was an experiment making Riddell captain, particularly as he is not generally popular. "

"His unpopularity arises from no cause in himself, " said the doctor; "ifit did I would not have put him in the post. But he will live it down--in fact, he is doing so now, I fancy. "

"I think he is, " said Mr Parrett. "The great difficulty is to get himto assert himself. "

"I trust, " said the doctor, after a pause, "there is no truth in thereport that Bloomfield and the monitors of your house are trying to setup a counter authority to Riddell's. "

"It is true, " said Mr Parrett; "and it is the secret of most of the badorder in the school. But I am not sure, sir, whether it is a matter youwould do well to notice. It is one of the difficulties which Riddellhas to live down, and which bring him out more than anything else. Hehas made his mark already on the usurpers. "

"You are quite right, " said the doctor. "I would rather leave adifficulty like that to right itself. And I dare say the reason Riddellis so slow in asserting himself, as you say, is that in his own house hereally has not much to do. "

"Exactly, " said Mr Parrett. 

The doctor paused for a moment and then started on an apparently freshtopic. 

"I am afraid Welch's house is no better than it was. "

"How can it be?" said Mr Parrett. "It has not a single senior ofinfluence or even character in it. "

"And more than that, " added the doctor, "it contains a few boys--one ortwo only, I hope--whose influence is distinctly bad. "

Mr Parrett nodded. 

"A change of some sort must be made, " said the doctor. "It has occurredto me, Parrett, quite recently, that Riddell might do better there. "

Mr Parrett opened his eyes wide. 

"You are astonished, " said the doctor. "So was I when I first thoughtof it. But Riddell is a safe man, if slow, and his influence is justwhat is wanted in Welch's. Besides, Fairbairn would make an excellenthead for the schoolhouse. What do you think?"

"Without doubt Riddell, as far as character goes, is the best boy youcould choose. I'm not quite sure, though, whether he has sufficientforce. "

"But, as you say, his force answers to his difficulties. At any rate Iam disposed to try him. A few weeks will show how he gets on. I havenot much fear myself. "

And so the head master and his lieutenant separated. 

Little dreaming of the changes in store for them, Silk and Gilks weresitting together in the study of the latter, furtively consuming cigar-ends and looking decidedly glum as they conversed together in low andmysterious and not very amicable tones. 

"Think he'll do it?" said Silk. 

"He had a letter from home this morning, " replied Gilks, "I know, because he sat next to me at breakfast while he was reading it. "

"Did you see what it said, " inquired Silk, as naturally as if lookingover another fellow's letters were an ordinary proceeding. 

"No, but it was from his brother, and it had a post-office order in it. "

"It had? that's lucky. How much was it for?"

"I couldn't see, " said Gilks. 

"Where is he now?" asked Silk, after a pause. 

"I don't know. Probably in his Holiness's study--or, no, it's librarynight--he'll be there. "

"What a nuisance that library is. The young beggar's always potteringabout there, " said Silk. "Think he'll look us up before bedtime?"

"Don't know, " said Gilks. 

"You'd better know, " said Silk. "He must come, and you'd better see hedoes. "

This last was spoken in a somewhat menacing voice, and Gilks sulkilyreplied, "What are you in such a hurry to-night for? The morning willdo, won't it?"

"No, " said Silk, "it won't, there; and if it did, I choose to see himto-night. "

"I don't know what makes you so precious disagreeable, " growled Gilks. "I don't want to be ordered about by you, I can tell you. "

Silk sneered. "I'm under great obligations to you, I know, " he said. 

"Well, " said Gilks, who winced visibly under the satire, "however couldI help it? It wasn't my fault, I tell you. I'm awfully sorry you loston the race, but--"

"But you'd better look alive and do what I tell you, " said Silk, viciously. 

It was curious, to say the least of it, that in so short a time theWelcher should have so completely got the upper hand of his confederatethat the latter departed meekly without another word on his errand. 

He found Wyndham, as he had expected, in the library, busy gettingtogether the books for distribution next day. 

"Hullo!" said Gilks, with a show of cordiality; "here you are again. You seem to live here. "

"No, I don't, " said Wyndham, looking not very pleased to be interrupted;"but I always have to get ready an evening before the day, or thefellows kick up such a jolly row when they're kept waiting. "

"How long shall you be?" asked Gilks. 

"I don't know. Why?" asked Wyndham. 

"Only Silk wants to speak to you. "

Wyndham's face clouded. He had come fresh from Riddell's study an hourago. His brother's friend had been as kind as ever. In a hundred wayshe had shown it without sermon or lecture, and Wyndham had felt stungwith a sense of his own ingratitude and dishonesty as he accepted thehelp and goodness of his mentor. 

Now, consequently, this summons to present himself before Silk was morethan usually distasteful. 

"I can't come, tell him. It will take me all the evening to finishthis. "

"You'd better go, though, " said Gilks. 

"I can't. Why had I better go?" asked Wyndham, looking uncomfortable. 

"It's something important he wants you for. You'd better go, young un. "

Wyndham flung down the book in his hand with a baffled air, andmuttering, "I hate the fellow!" walked miserably off. Gilks called himback for a moment. 

"I say, " he said, "don't you be such a fool as to rile Silk, young un. He could make it precious awkward for you and me too if it came to arow. Take my advice and keep in with him. "

Wyndham answered nothing, but went off moodily to Silk. "Ah, Wyndham, "said the latter, cordially, as his young _protege_ entered, "I was justwondering if you'd give me a look up. "

"Gilks came and said you wanted me; that's why I came, " said Wyndham. 

"Awfully good of you, " said Silk. "Of course I wanted you. The factis, young un, " said he, becoming a little mysterious, "there's rather anawkward thing turned up. I hope it won't come to anything, I'm sure, but it doesn't do to be too sure. "

"What do you mean?" demanded Wyndham, looking alarmed. "I mean, " saidSilk, slowly, "that last time you took Gilks and me down to Beamish's--"

"_I_ took you!" exclaimed Wyndham. "_You_ took me--you made me go. "

Silk laughed. 

"Well, the last time we three went to Beamish's, if you like--theSaturday before the race; last Saturday, in fact--somebody saw us, orrather saw you. "

"What!" cried Wyndham, turning pale. "Who was it?"

"It wouldn't do you any good to know, " said Silk, "but it seems to be afact. "

"Who was it? a master or a monitor, or who?" asked the boy, anxiously. 

"Neither. I don't fancy you know the fellow at all; I do, though. "

Silk, as he concocted this lie, would probably have been as astonishedas any one to discover that the escapade in question had really beenwitnessed by two boys from the box of the doctor's own fly!

"You know him?" said Wyndham. "Will he let out, do you think?"

"I can't say. I think I could prevent him, " said Silk. 

"Oh, please do, " said the troubled boy, full of exaggerated terror atthe consequences of detection. 

"I'll see, " said Silk, not very assuringly. 

"What!" cried Wyndham. "You surely won't leave me in the lurch, Silk?"

Silk looked benevolently at his young friend. 

"It depends, " said he, coolly. 

"Depends! On what? Oh, Silk, what do you mean?"

"Don't alarm yourself, " said Silk, smiling. Then he added, confidentially, "The fact is, young un, I'm hard-up. I lost a lot ofmoney on the race, owing to that--that is, because Parrett's lost. Thething is, can you lend me a couple of sovereigns, Wyndham?"

Wyndham's face clouded for a moment, but he replied quickly, "Yes, Ican, Silk, if you'll promise to see it doesn't get out about lastSaturday. "

"Of course I will. You don't suppose I'm such a cad as all that. "

"Oh, no, " said Wyndham, looking more cheerful, and taking out his purse. 

He drew from it a post-office order. 

"It's for three pounds, " he said. "I was going to change it to-morrow. "

"Oh, I'll do that, " said Silk. "I'm going into town early. You havesigned it, I see. There'll be a sov. To give you out of it, won'tthere?"

"Yes, please; and the two pounds, and the ten shillings the other day, "faltered the boy. 

"You shall have them back, never fear, " said Silk, pocketing the order. 

Wyndham, in spite of this assurance, did fear considerably, as hereturned with empty purse to his house. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

THE NEW CAPTAIN TURNED WELCHER. 

Riddell, who probably felt the sting of the boat-race mishap moresensitively than any boy in Willoughby, was pacing the playground in adispirited mood a morning or two after, when Dr Patrick suddenlyconfronted him. 

"Ah, Riddell, " said the latter, cheerily, "I'm glad I have met you. Iwant to have a talk. Let me see, " said he, pulling out his watch, "there's hardly time now, though. Will you come and have tea with methis evening?"

Riddell turned pale at the bare suggestion, and would probably haveinvented some wild excuse to get off the dreaded honour had not thedoctor continued, "I'm sorry Mrs Patrick and her sister are from home;they take a great interest in you, I can assure you. "

"Oh, not at all, " cried Riddell, whom the bare mention of those ladies'names was sufficient to confuse hopelessly. 

"Come at seven o'clock, will you?" said the doctor, pleasantly, notnoticing his head boy's perturbation. 

Riddell continued his walk in a state of considerable perplexity. Forsome moments he could not get beyond the fact that Mrs Patrick and MissStringer were from home, and the relief of that reflection wasunspeakable. But what could the doctor want him for? Was it to tellhim he did not consider him equal to the duties of captain, and torelieve him of his office? Riddell devoutly wished it might be so. Andyet he hardly fancied from the head master's manner this was to be thesubject of their interview. 

Perhaps it was to cross-examine him as to the boat-race. That wretchedboat-race! Riddell had hardly had a minute's peace since thatafternoon. The burden of the whole affair seemed to rest upon him. Thetaunts of the disappointed Parretts, which glanced harmless off mindslike Fairbairn's and Porter's, wounded him to the quick, and, until themystery should be solved, Riddell felt almost like a guilty partyhimself. He rather hoped the doctor did want to talk about this. Itwould be a relief to unburden his mind, at any rate. But even thesetroubles were slight compared with Riddell's concern about his oldfriend's brother. In spite of all his efforts young Wyndham was goingwrong. He was getting more irregular in his visits to Riddell's study, and when he did come he was more reserved and secret, and less inclinedto confide in his friend than before. It was easy to guess the reason, and Riddell felt baffled and dispirited as he thought about it. To saveyoung Wyndham from his bad friends would be worth to him more even thanto secure the order of Willoughby, or to discover the perpetrator of theboat-race outrage. 

In this troubled state of mind Riddell passed the day till the timearrived for him to present himself at the doctor's. 

He entered warily and suspiciously, as though not quite sure whether, after all, the two ladies might be lying in ambush somewhere for him. But no, there was no deception, only the doctor was there, and he, unrestrained by the presence of his usual bodyguard, was most friendlyand cordial. 

"Ah, Riddell, glad to see you. Sit down. You find me a bachelor, yousee, for once in a way. "

Riddell was soon at his ease. The doctor chatted pleasantly over theirtea about various Willoughby topics, giving his opinion on some andasking the captain's opinion on others, and so delicately showing hissympathy for the boy in his difficulties and his approval of his effortsfor the good of the school, that Riddell was quite won over, andprepared for the serious matter which the doctor presently broached. "Yes, " said the latter, in reply to some reference by Riddell to theWelchers. "Yes, I am a good deal concerned about Welch's house, Riddell. I dare say you can understand why. "

"I think so, sir. They don't seem to pull together there somehow, orhave the sympathy with the good of the school. "

"Precisely. That's just what it is, " said the doctor, delighted to findhis head boy so exactly understanding the nature of the house over whichhe was to be installed. "They seem to be `each man for himself, andnone for the State, ' I fear. "

"I think so, " said Riddell. "They hold aloof from most of the schooldoings, unless there's a chance of a row. They had no boat on the riverthis year, and I don't think they will have a man in the eleven againstRockshire. And they seem to have no ambition to work for the school. "

The doctor mused a bit, and then said, with a half-sigh, as if tohimself, "And I wish that were the worst of it. " Then turning toRiddell, he said, "I am glad to hear your opinion of Welch's house, Riddell, and to find that you seem to understand what is wrong there. What should you say to taking charge of that house in future?"

This was breaking the news suddenly, with a vengeance, and Riddellfairly gaped at the head master as he sat back in his chair, andwondered if he had heard aright. 

"What, sir!" at length he gasped; "_I_ take charge of Welch's!"

"Yes, my boy, " said the doctor, quietly. 

"Oh, I could never do it, sir!" exclaimed Riddell, pale at the verynotion. 

"Try, " said the head master. "It may not be so impossible as youthink. "

"I'm not popular, sir, " faltered Riddell, "and I've no influence. Indeed, it would only make things worse. Try some one else, sir. TryFairbairn. "

"I shall want Fairbairn to be the head of the schoolhouse, " said thedoctor. 

"I'm sure it would be a mistake, sir, " repeated Riddell. "If there wasany chance of my succeeding I would try, but--"

"But, " said the doctor, "you have not tried. Listen, Riddell; I know Iam not inviting you to a bed of roses. It is a come-down, I know, forthe captain of the school and the head of the schoolhouse to go down toWelch's, especially such a Welch's as ours is at present. But the postof danger, you know, is the post of honour. I leave it to you. Youneed not go unless you wish. I shall not think worse of you if youconscientiously feel you should not go. Think it over. Count all thecost. You have already made a position for yourself in the schoolhouse. You will have to quit that, of course, and start afresh and single-handed in the new house, and it is not likely that those who defy therules of the school will take at first to a fellow who comes to enforcethem. Think it all over, I say, and decide with open eyes. "

The doctor's words had a strange inspiriting effect on this shy anddiffident boy. The recital of all the difficulties in the way was themost powerful argument to a nature like his, and when at length thedoctor wished him good-night and told him to take till the following dayto decide, Riddell was already growing accustomed to the prospect of hisnew duty. 

For all that, the day that ensued was anxious and troubled. Not so muchon account of Welch's. On that point his mind was pretty nearly madeup. It seemed a call of duty, and therefore it was a call of honour, which Riddell dare not disobey. But to leave the schoolhouse just now, when it lay under the reproach caused by the boat-race accident; andworse still, to leave it just when young Wyndham seemed to be driftingfrom his moorings and yielding with less and less effort to thetemptations of bad companions--these were troubles compared with whichthe perils and difficulties of his new task were but light. 

For a long time that night Riddell sat in his study and pondered overthe doctor's offer, and looked at it in all its aspects, and counted upall the cost. 

Then like a wise man he took counsel of a Friend. Ah! you say, hetalked it over with Fairbairn, or Porter, or the acute Crossfield--or, perhaps, he wrote a letter to old Wyndham? No, reader, Riddell had aFriend at Willoughby dearer even than old Wyndham, and nearer thanFairbairn, or Porter, or Crossfield, and that night when all the schoolwas asleep, little dreaming what its captain did, he went to that Friendand told Him all his difficulties about Welch's, and his anxieties aboutyoung Wyndham, and even his unhappiness about the boat-race; and indoing so found himself wonderfully cheered and ready to face the newduty, and even hopeful of success. 

Next morning he went to the doctor and told him he was ready to enter onhis new duties. Dr Patrick was not the man to flatter his head boy orto inspire him with undue hopes; but he was undoubtedly gratified by thedecision, and Riddell felt encouraged in the consciousness of hissympathy. 

At call-over that evening the Welchers had the pleasure of beinginformed by the doctor of the new arrangements proposed for theirwelfare, and, it need hardly be said, were considerably moved thereby. 

At first they were disposed to regard the affair as a joke and a capitalpiece of fun. But when that evening Riddell put in an appearance atsupper, in their house, and when Telson was intercepted bringing overhis late master's goods and chattels to the study next but one to thatof Silk, they began to take the matter in rather more seriously. 

For the first time for a long while Welch's house seemed to be of onemind--a mind made up of equal mixtures of resentment and amazement andamusement. Probably, had they been more accustomed to thinkingtogether, they would have summoned a monster meeting, as Parrett's wouldhave done, to discuss the situation. As it was, they resolvedthemselves into several small groups, each of which dealt with the topicof the hour in its own way. 

The juniors of course had a good deal to say on the subject. Pilbury, Cusack, Philpot, Morgan, and a few other kindred spirits held a councilof war in the study of the two former immediately after supper. 

"Rum start this, eh, Pil!" said Cusack, by way of opening proceedings. 

"You know, " said Pil, confidentially, "I'm not surprised. He made sucha regular mess of it in the schoolhouse. "

"Don't know what's the good of his coming here, then, " said Philpot;"our fellows aren't a bit quieter than the schoolhouse. "

No one was bold enough to dispute this peculiarly modest description ofthe order of Welch's house. 

"I wonder if he's been kicked out of the captaincy as well?" askedCusack, who was apparently convinced in his own mind that the new movewas a degradation for Riddell. 

"I don't know, " said Morgan; "Paddy said something about it being a goodthing for us to get the captain of the school as head of our house. "

"Oh, ah--a jolly good thing, " said Pilbury; "jolly lookout for us ifhe's stuck here to pull us up whenever we have a lark. "

"Bless you, _he_ can't pull a fellow up!" said somebody. "They said heused to now and then in the schoolhouse. "

"Not he. He's afraid to look at a chap. "

"I say, " said Cusack, "rather a spree to fetch him, eh, you fellows, andsee how he does. Eh?"

"I'm game, " said Pilbury; "what shall we do? Smash in his study-door?"

"Oh, no, " said Cusack, "no use doing that. Let's give him `Bouncer' tostart with. "

"That ought to startle him up, " said Philpot, laughing, "if he's notused to it. "

"Rather--open the door a bit, Morgan. Now, you fellows, are you allgame? All together. "

And with that the party struck up at the top of their voices the famousold Willoughby chorus, of which the first verse runs as follows:

 "Oh, Bouncer was a Willoughby chap, sir, Bouncer! Bouncer! Bouncer! Upon his head he wore his cap, sir, Bouncer! Bouncer! Bouncer! Below his cap he wore his head, His eyes were black and his hair was red, And he carried his bat for a cool _hundred_, Bouncer! Bouncer! Bouncer!"

This poetic record of the virtues and accomplishments of their legendaryschool hero gave ample scope, as the reader may surmise, for spiriteddeclamation; and on the present occasion more Welchers than Riddell werestartled by the sudden and vehement outburst of the patriotic hymn. Indeed, as it appeared to be a point of honour with the vocalists topitch no two voices in the same key, the effect was even alarming, andsuggested the sudden letting loose of a menagerie. 

The singers waited meekly for a few seconds to see whether their effortshad met with the success they deserved. But as a dead silence reigned, and no one came, they considerately determined to give their audienceanother chance; and therefore launched forthwith into the second verse, which was delivered with even more dramatic power than the first:

 "Old Bouncer stood six foot and an inch, sir, Bouncer! Bouncer! Bouncer! And four foot round his chest was a pinch, sir, Bouncer! Bouncer! Bouncer! Twelve stone two was his fighting weight, And he stroked our boat for the champion plate, And ran his mile in four thirty-eight, Bouncer! Bouncer! Bouncer!"

This time the heroic efforts of the melodious juniors had their reward. Before the last line was reached the door of the new captain's studyopened, and Riddell appeared in the passage. His first appearance inhis new capacity was naturally a matter of curiosity on every hand; andas he approached the scene of the noise he became aware that almostevery occupant of the passage was standing at his door, watchingcuriously for what was to happen. 

He certainly did not look, as he walked nervously down the corridor, thesort of fellow to quell a riot; and any one might have prophesied thathe was not likely to come off any better now than he did when he oncewent on a similar errand to the stronghold of the Limpets. 

And yet the weeks that had elapsed since then had not been thrown awayon Riddell. Would the reader like to hear what his thoughts were as heneared the scene of his trial?

"What had I better do? If I get in a rage I shall only make a fool ofmyself; if I report them to the doctor I shall be shirking my own work;if I remonstrate mildly and do no more, my chances in Welch's are donefor, and these fellows who are on the lookout for my failure will gettheir crow. I _must_ get on the right side of these youngsters if Ican, so here goes!"

With this reflection he reached the door just as the third verse of"Bouncer" commenced, the performers having carefully turned their backsso as to appear wholly unconscious of a visitor. Verse three referredaltogether to the intellectual attainments of the wonderful Bouncer. 

 "Bouncer was the cock of the school, sir, Bouncer! Bouncer! Bouncer! And Socrates to him was a fool, sir, Bouncer! Bouncer! Bouncer! He could cross the `asses' bridge in the dark, And `Hic Haec Hoc' he thought a lark. And swallowed irregular verbs like a shark, Bouncer! Bouncer! Bouncer!"

Before this spirit-stirring recital had reached its climax one or two ofthe performers had found it impossible to resist a look round to see howthe captain took it. So that the "surprise" at finding him standingthere at its conclusion fell rather flat. 

Much to the disappointment of the spectators outside, moreover, Riddellshut the door behind him. The juniors eyed him curiously. Contrary totheir expectation, he neither looked frightened nor confused, but hisface was as cheery as his voice as he said, "You see, I couldn't resistyour beautiful music. "

Was he in jest or earnest? Did he really mean he had enjoyed thechorus, or was he poking fun at them? They could not quite tell. 

"Oh, " said Cusack, not quite as defiantly, however, as he could havewished, "that's a song we sing among ourselves, isn't it, you fellows?"

"Ah!" said Riddell, before "the fellows" could chime in, "it's good funbelonging to a musical set--especially for songs like this, that appearto have several tunes all sung at once! You should give a concert. "

The boys looked more perplexed than ever. It sounded like chaff, andyet they could scarcely believe it was. So they smiled vacantly at oneanother, and began to feel the situation a little awkward. 

"I suppose, " continued Riddell, feeling his way carefully--"I supposebetween nine and ten is the usual time for singing in Welch's? Ifancied it was before supper!"

"Oh!" said Pilbury, "we do as we like here. "

"Do you, really?" replied the captain. "How jolly that must be!"

Cusack and Pilbury could hardly tell why they laughed at this veryinnocent observation, but they did, and Riddell was quick enough to seehis advantage. 

"You know, I'd be very sorry to interfere with the beautiful music, " hesaid; "but do you think you could get to like not to sing after supper?"

The boys stared as if they were not quite sure yet how to take it. However, the captain made himself clear without further delay. "Thefact is, " said he, a trifle nervously, but in his friendliesttones--"the fact is--I don't know what you think, but I'd be awfullyglad if you fellows would back me up for a week or two in Welch's. Ofcourse, you know, the doctor's put me here, and I don't suppose you'remuch alarmed by the move, eh? You needn't be. "

"We aren't, " said Morgan, in a decidedly mild attempt at heroism. 

"I'm glad of that, " said the captain; whereat the rest of the companylaughed at the unlucky Morgan, who had quite expected the joke to go theother way. "You know, " continued Riddell, sitting upon the table andtalking as familiarly as though he were in his own study, "I'd ratherlike if among us we could pull Welch's up a bit before the end of theterm. It seems rather a shame, for instance, we didn't have a boat onthe river these races, and that there's not a single Welcher in thefirst eleven. "

"It's a beastly shame!" said Philpot. "Bloomfield's down on us, youknow; he's got a spite against us. "

"Oh! I don't know, " said Riddell. "I fancy if we'd got some goodenough men he'd be only too glad to put them in. After all, the gloryof the school is the chief thing. "

"Tucker and Silk will never practise, " said Cusack. "I know _I_ wouldif I'd got the chance. "

"Well, I don't see why you shouldn't start the House Cricket Club thisyear, at any rate, " said Riddell. 

"That's just what Tucker and Silk won't do. We wanted them to do it, didn't we, Pil?"

"Rather!" said Pil; "and they told us to mind our own business. "

"Suppose we start it ourselves?" suggested the captain; "I'm a Welchernow, you know. I don't see why, because Tucker and Silk object, thewhole house should be done out of its cricket. "

"No more do I, " said Philpot. 

"They'll kick up a jolly row with us, though, " said Morgan. 

"I don't think so, " said Riddell. "At any rate, that's no reason whythere shouldn't be a club. "

"All serene!" said Cusack, warming up to the notion, and quiteforgetting "Bouncer. "

"I say, Riddell, couldn't we start it now?"

"Yes, certainly, " said Riddell; "why not? I propose Cusack be thesecretary. "

"Oh, I say!" cried that youth, blushing, half with pleasure and halfwith embarrassment; "you'd better be that, Riddell. "

"Oh, no, " said Riddell, laughing, "I don't know the fellows so well asyou. If you were secretary, and Pilbury or Philpot treasurer, I'd bepresident, or something of that sort, if you like. "

The idea of the new club took like wildfire, and an enthusiasticconsultation followed. It was resolved to summon a meeting next day ofall who took an interest in the sport, and to arrange for a trial matchat once. Riddell went as warmly into the details as any one, and tookevery opportunity of working up the patriotic spirit of his youngercompanions. 

"You know, " said he, "I don't see at all why we shouldn't be able to gettogether a team for the junior elevens if we practise hard. "

"The nuisance is, " said Cusack, "we're stopped an hour a day's play allthis term. "

"What for?" inquired the captain. 

The melancholy story of Mr Parrett and the sulphuretted hydrogen wasrecounted. 

"It's a pity, " said he, gravely. 

"I wonder if Paddy would mind giving us a licking instead, " suggestedPilbury, whose hands were of the horny kind. 

Even the others whose palms were less seasoned seemed willing to fall inwith this alternative, but Riddell discouraged it. 

"No, " said he, "he's not likely to do that. But I tell you what I'lldo. I'll see him and Parrett and tell them about the club, andundertake that you'll be steady the rest of the term if they'll let youoff. Do you think I'd be safe in saying so?"

"Rather! I'll promise, for one, " cried Cusack. 

"And I'll try, " said Pilbury. 

"So will we, " said the others. 

So it was settled. And when next day Riddell in triumph was able toannounce that the doctor and Mr Parrett had agreed to withdraw theprohibition, in consideration of the captain's promise on their behalf, great was the jubilation. 

Greater still was Riddell's own satisfaction in feeling that he had atleast made a good start towards getting on the right side of the juniorsof his new house. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

"IS WILLOUGHBY DEGENERATE?"

As might be expected, the new captain's move in attempting to win overthe juniors of Welch's only served to increase the irritation of thoseseniors who had hitherto reigned supreme in the house. 

But Riddell had taken this into his calculation, and was therefore notgreatly astonished when immediately after the enthusiastic cricketmeeting just referred to, Silk followed him to his study in a by nomeans amiable frame of mind. 

Silk was not given to losing his temper, but on the present occasion hewas decidedly ruffled. And no wonder. 

Any fellow would be ruffled who suddenly found himself deposed from hisauthority in the manner in which Silk had been. Had he been one of themost conscientious and painstaking of monitors, he might well have beenexcused flaring up a little, and, indeed, would have shown a poor spirithad he not done so. 

But Silk, as the reader knows, was neither painstaking norconscientious. He did not care a rap about Welch's, still less aboutWilloughby. As long as he could please himself and annoy his enemies, he did not care what became of his house or the boys in it. It was onlywhen any one ventured to dispute his authority as head of the house thathe attached any value to his office. In fact, it was the story of theDog in the Manger carried out in school life--he would not be troubleddoing his duty to Welch's, and he would not if he could help it let anyone else do it for him. 

Riddell, if truth must be told, was not at all sorry to have an earlyopportunity of coming to an explanation with Silk. 

Silk was one of the very few boys in Willoughby whom the captainpositively disliked, and that being so Riddell was troubled with none ofthe half-apologetic nervousness which he usually felt in the presence ofhis other fellow-seniors. He looked upon Silk both as an enemy toWilloughby and as the evil genius of young Wyndham, and therefore was byno means disposed to beg his pardon or consult his pleasure in the neworder of things at Welch's. 

"I hear the juniors have been saying something to you about starting thecricket club, " said Silk, in tones which were the reverse ofconciliatory. 

"Yes, " said Riddell; "or, rather, I suggested it to them. "

"You did! All I can say is, it's like your impudence. Welch's is cometo a pretty pass if _you're_ sent here to look after our athletics. "

Riddell did not feel called upon to reply to this, and Silk thereforecontinued, "Don't you know Tucker and I have been captains of the clubshere for the last two years?"

"I was told so. "

"Then what business have you to interfere?"

"There was no house club at all this year. "

"A lot _you_ care about the cricket. I know well enough it's just acanting dodge for snubbing Tucker and me before the fellows, nothingmore. "

"You're quite mistaken, " replied Riddell. 

"Oh, of course! You'd like to make out that you care a fig aboutcricket. You who couldn't even bowl a ball from one end of the wicketsto the other!"

There seemed nothing particular to reply to in this, so Riddell remainedsilent. This only irritated Silk the more, who felt that he was by nomeans getting the best of it. 

"You'd better stop this sort of thing at once, " he said, viciously. "You're sent here to look after the morals of the house, not tointerfere with what doesn't concern you. Tucker and I can look afterthe cricket without you. "

"Are you and Tucker going to start the old club again, then?" askedRiddell quietly. 

"Whatever business of yours is it whether we are or aren't? Find out. "

"That's what I'm trying to do. If you are, I'll advise the otherfellows to join it and not have two clubs. "

"_You_ advise the fellows!" sneered Silk; "they don't want a schoolhouseprig like you to advise them. "

It was evidently no use trying to conciliate a fellow like this, andRiddell began to get tired of the interview. 

"I don't want to offend you or anybody, " said he boldly; "but if you andTucker won't take the trouble to start the club, I don't see that allthe house is to be done out of their cricket in consequence. Thefellows have little enough to keep them together as it is. "

"You are a nice _little thing_ to keep them together with, I must say, "snarled Silk, "and you've made a good start by setting the juniorsagainst their seniors. "

"I've done nothing of the sort, " replied Riddell, quietly; "and ifyou'll excuse me, I've some work to do, and there's really not much usetalking on the subject. "

So saying, he turned, and began taking his books down from the shelf. 

Silk, whose irritation had been gradually getting beyond bounds, waspleased to regard this action as a direct insult to himself, and flaredup accordingly. 

"Look here, you snivelling, stuck-up, hypocritical prig, you!" exclaimedhe, advancing and seizing the captain roughly by the arm, "we'd bettercome to an understanding at once. If you think you're going to cheek usjust as you please here, you're mistaken, I tell you. What do you meanby it?"

"By what?" inquired Riddell, mildly, but quite composedly. 

Silk's only reply was a passionate blow in the captain's face, whichsent him staggering to the other side of the room. 

It was a critical moment. Riddell was no coward, nor was he one ofthose sickly individuals who, not satisfied to be struck on one cheekonly, invite a repetition of the assault on the other side. Physicallyweak and nervous as he was, he had sufficient British instinct to movehim to stand up for himself. 

And yet as he stood there a moment irresolute, it flashed across himthat whatever the cost he must not enter upon a fight with Silk. 

Of course he would be called a coward, and nothing he could say couldprove he wasn't. He was no match for Silk, and consequently his refusalto defend himself would be called fear. 

"And yet, " thought he, "if I fight, my chance in Welch's is gone, evenif I were able to beat him. The fellows will have no more respect forme than any other rowdy, and will soon enough make my thrashing anexcuse for mutiny. "

It was a hard position for any boy, and the courage required to hold himback cost Riddell more effort than had he blindly rushed into the frayand given himself up to be thrashed. 

"Will you fight?" shouted Silk, advancing. 

"No, " said Riddell, as coolly as he could. 

"Wretched coward!" exclaimed the bully, "of course you won't. Then takewhat you deserve. I'll give you the biggest hiding you ever had in yourlife. "

He would probably have carried out his threat, and Riddell wouldprobably before half a minute have given up all further idea of non-resistance, when an opportune diversion occurred in the person ofTelson, who appeared with the remainder of his late senior's possessionsfrom the schoolhouse. 

"I say, Riddell, " he exclaimed, almost before the door was open, "here'sa jolly go! I've got to be that beast Gilks's fag, and-- Hullo! what'sup?"

This remark was caused by Silk's suddenly turning on his heel andhurrying from the study without putting into execution his threat. 

"What was he up to?" asked Telson, as the door was shut. "He was goingto exterminate me, so he said, " replied Riddell, smiling. 

"I wish he'd tried, and you'd given him a jolly licking, " said Telson. "He's a cad. I wonder what young Wyndham or any one sees to like inhim. "

"Wyndham likes him, then?" asked the captain. "They always seem jollythick, " said the fag. "By the way, Riddell, were you ever atBeamish's?"

"Beamish's? No!" exclaimed Riddell. "Why?"

"Oh, " said Telson, "I only wanted to know what sort of place it was. "

"Not a good one. There's a pretty strong rule against it in the school. Bad job for any one caught going there. "

"I know, I'm not going; I only wanted to know what sort of place it was. But I'm off, I've got a motion on in Parliament to-morrow. I say, Riddell, I wish you hadn't left the schoolhouse. "

And off went the junior, leaving Riddell somewhat perplexed by hischatter, but considerably consoled nevertheless to think that there wasany one in the schoolhouse, or anywhere, who was sorry to lose him. 

However, the same reason which took Telson away left Riddell also littletime to spend in vague reflections. He, too, had a speech to preparefor Parliament to-morrow. 

The meeting promised to be an important one in many respects. It wasthe first after the boat-race, and consequently party feeling was likelyto make use of the opportunity to let off a little of its steam. Then, of course, it was the captain's first public appearance as the head ofWelch's, and that was sure to excite a good deal of curiosity andinterest. And last, but not least, the subject for the evening was adebate on the question, "That Willoughby is Degenerate, " to be opened inthe affirmative by Ashley, and in the negative by Porter, and on thisburning question the debate as well as the division promised to bepretty interesting. 

There was the usual lively time before the regular business was reachedover "Questions, " of which there were a good many on the notice-paper. But it will be best to report the meeting in the usual Parliamentarystyle, as it would have appeared on the records of the House, had anyrecord been kept at Willoughby:

Mr Bloomfield took the chair at three o'clock. 

Mr Merrison (Welcher) gave notice that at the next meeting he wouldmove--"That this House gives its support to the Liberal candidate in thecoming election at Shellport, and does all in its power to kick out theRadical. " (Loud cheers. )

Mr Pringle (Parrett's) asked the Home Secretary what day the summerholidays were to begin. 

Mr Ashley replied that he was not in a position to inform the hon. Member, but probably in about six weeks. 

Mr Wyndham, jun. (schoolhouse), wished to ask why Parrett's would notrow another race when the schoolhouse had offered it? (Greatschoolhouse cheers. )

Mr Game (First Lord of the Admiralty), amid equally loud cheers onParrett's side, replied that as soon as the schoolhouse found out whohad been mean enough to cut the Parrett's rudder-line, and gave him upto justice, they would see about it. 

Whereupon Mr Wibberly begged to ask the schoolhouse stroke whether hehad any information to give the House on the subject. 

Mr Fairbairn. --The information I have to give the House is that MrRiddell and I, directly after the race, went to Mr Bloomfield and saidwe were sorry for the accident--(ironical laughter from Parrett's)--andoffered to row them again any day they liked, and the offer wasdeclined. (Schoolhouse cheers. )

Mr Tipper. --I should like to know if the schoolhouse fellows are makingany efforts to discover the culprit by whose assistance they won therace. (Tremendous Parrett's cheers. )

Mr Fairbairn. --I can't say we are. (Derisive cheers of "Of coursenot!" from Parrett's. ) The hon. Gentlemen opposite seem to know so muchabout it, that I think they had better find the culprit themselves. ("Hear, hear, " from the schoolhouse. )

The proceedings at this stage became rather noisy, every one beinganxious to express his opinion on the question. It was not till afterthe President had threatened to "adjourn the House" that silence was atlength restored. 

Bloomfield took the sensible course, also, of announcing that, as quiteenough questions had been asked about the race, he should not allow anymore on that subject. 

Whereupon Mr Tucker, the Welcher, rose and put a question on anothermatter. He wanted to know the reason why Mr Riddell had become aWelcher; whether it was true that he had been turned out of theschoolhouse for being incompetent; and whether he had been kicked out ofthe captaincy as well. 

Mr Crossfield said he had been requested to reply. And first he mustcongratulate the hon. Member on having succeeded in asking a questionwhich any one could understand. (Laughter. )

In reply, he understood Mr Riddell had been sent to Welch's in order tostudy the virtues of a fellow called Tucker, who was--

Mr Tucker, rising: Mr Chairman, I didn't put my question in order tobe insulted by Crossfield or any one. (Laughter. )

Mr Crossfield. --I apologise to the hon. Gentleman. I will not insulthim by supposing he has any virtues. I should say Mr Riddell has goneto take a few lessons in the art of keeping a house in order, which noone can so well teach him as Mr Tucker. (Loud laughter. ) In reply tothe gentleman's second question--

Mr Tucker. --I don't want any more. (Laughter. )

Mr Crossfield. --In reply to the gentleman's second question, I am sorryto inform him that his impressions are about as correct and intelligentas they usually are. (Renewed cheers and laughter, in the midst ofwhich Tucker subsided in a state of mind hardly amiable. )

As soon as silence was restored, Mr Porter wished to ask the captain ofthe eleven whether the team to play against Rockshire was yet settled. 

Mr Bloomfield. --Not quite. Nine names are fixed--Game, Tipper, Ashley, Wibberly, and myself from Parrett's house, and Fairbairn, Porter, Coates, and Crossfield from the schoolhouse. (Cheers and counter-cheers, and loud cries of "What about the Welchers?") What about theWelchers? That's what everybody wants to know! (Loud cheers. )

Hereupon Mr Cusack rose in his place and asked if the House was awarethat the Welchers' cricket club was started again; that he was thesecretary; and old Mr Pil the treasurer, and Mr Riddell the president, that the subscription was two shillings and sixpence in advance, andthat-- But here the enthusiastic secretary's announcement was drowned inthe general laughter of the assembly, led by the Parrett's juniors, whoroared as if they'd never heard such a joke in their lives. "Won't be ajoke when we smash you in one innings, " shouted Cusack, standing on hisseat to give emphasis to the challenge. "Ho, ho! when's that to be?"

"When you like, " cried the Welchers. "Do you funk it?"

"Unless those juniors there hold their row, " interposed Bloomfield, "Ishall have them turned out of the meeting. " Whereat the little breezecalmed down. 

The President then called upon Mr Ashley to move the resolutionstanding in his name, which he did in a rather feeble speech. 

"I really don't think it necessary to say much to prove that the schoolis degenerate. Look at the clubs! They aren't nearly as good as theywere in old Wyndham's time. Parrett's clubs, thanks to Mr Bloomfield, keep up; but where are the others? Then the rows. (Hear, hear. ) I'msure there have been more rows in the school this term than all the restof the year put together. The juniors seem to do what theylike, "--("Hear, hear, " from Telson, Parson, and Co. )--"and no one seemsto know who has a right to keep any one else in order. Now, why is allthis? (Loud cheers from Bosher. ) You know as well as I do. Thecaptain of the school always used to be a fellow the boys could look upto. Old Wyndham and the captain before him were something like fellows. (Loud Parrett's cheers. ) _They_ weren't afraid to look any one in theface--(cheers)--and _they_ didn't, when they got tired of onehouse--(cheers)--ask the doctor to move them to another. (Terrificapplause from the Parrett's and Welchers. ) Why, if this boat-raceaffair had happened in old Wyndham's time, do you suppose he wouldn'thave made it right, and found out the fellow, even if it was his ownbrother? (Loud cheers, amidst which young Wyndham blushed a great dealat this unexpected piece of notoriety. ) I'm not going to say any more. "("Hear, hear, " from Fairbairn. )

Mr Porter rose to open the debate on the other side. He wasn't goingto give in that Willoughby was going down. It was unpatriotic. (Cheers. ) He meant to say if the school did go down it was the fellows'own fault, and not all to be blamed on one boy. Mr Riddell wouldprobably answer for himself--(laughter)--but he (Mr Porter) was prettysure the school would not degenerate under him. The fellows seemed tothink the only thing in the world was brute strength. He had noobjection to brute strength--(cheers and laughter)--in fact he fanciedhe had a little of his own--("Hear, hear, " from Telson whose ears Porterhad boxed only that morning)--but Willoughby wanted something betterthan that; and he meant to say there were plenty of fellows in theschool who didn't make much noise, but who did as much to keep up theschool as all the rowdies put together. And when things have quieteddown, as he hoped they would, these fellows would get more thanks thanthey did now. (Cheers from a few, who apparently considered this lastallusion referred specially to them. )

Porter was not a good speaker, and the little he did say was a good dealbungled. Still there was a manly ring about his speech which pleasedthe better disposed section of his audience, some of whom did not evenbelong to the same house. 

Silk followed. The Welcher monitor was clever to a certain degree, andalthough he never chose to devote his cleverness to good purposes, heusually managed to get himself listened to when he chose to take thetrouble. And at present, his peculiar position as the deposed head ofWelch's gave a certain interest to what he had to say. Bitter enough itwas. 

"What chance is there of the school not going down, I should like toknow, " said he, "when cant is the order of the day? (Hear, hear. ) Ofcourse the school is going down. What interests can any one have in hishouse when some one comes and begins by setting the juniors against theseniors and then turning up the whites of his eyes and saying, `What ashocking state of disorder the house is in?' Why, before `the littlestranger'--(loud laughter)--came to Welch's, the seniors and juniorsnever fell out, " ("Hear, hear, " from several quarters), "but now there'sa regular mutiny. And what's bad for one house is bad for the school. I don't care who's head of Welch's. He's welcome to the honour if helikes, but let him act above-board, that's what I say, and not sniveland look pious while all the time he's doing a dirty trick. " (Cheersfrom Tucker and one or two more, which, however, instantly died out whenCrossfield rose. )

Crossfield was the plague of the senior Welchers' lives!

"I was much affected by the beautiful speech of the gentleman who hasjust sat down, " he began. "It is always so sweet to hear consciousinnocence asserting itself. After the gentleman's noble efforts for thegood of his house (laughter)--and the splendid example he has set ofrectitude--(laughter)--and high moral principle--(laughter)--it is trulytouching to find him put on one side for an interloper who is villainousenough to tell the juniors they need not walk in his saintly footsteps!(Laughter. ) But that is not what I wanted to say, and as the gentlemanappears to be overcome by his emotions--(Silk was at that moment angrilyleaving the room)--I don't think we need trouble any more about him. (Cheers and laughter. ) All I wished to say was this: I alwaysunderstood from the gentlemen of Parrett's that Mr Bloomfield wascaptain of Willoughby, " (Loud cries of "So he is!"), "and that nobodycared a straw for Mr Riddell. " ("No more they do!"). "Then, I don'tthink Mr Ashley is very complimentary to Mr Bloomfield when he saysthe fault of all the mischief is that the captain is not an all-roundman. For all that he's quite correct. Mr Bloomfield is a well-meaningman, no doubt, but he certainly is not an all-round man. " (Uproar. )

Riddell then rose, and his rising was the signal for a greatdemonstration of party feeling. Parrett's of course went against him, and a large section of Welch's, but the schoolhouse, aided by Cusack, Pilbury, and Co. , backed him up. He spoke nervously but boldly. 

"I am sorry to have to support the motion of Mr Ashley. I agree withhim that Willoughby is not what it was, and not what it should be. (Cheers. ) And I also agree with him in thinking that the school mighthave a good deal better captain than it has. " (Cries of "No!" from theschoolhouse. ) "However, I do not want to say a word about myself. WhatI do want to say is this--it's one thing to discover that we aredegenerate, and another to try to put ourselves right again. And are welikely to do that as long as we are all at sixes and sevens, pullingdifferent ways, caring far more about our own gratifications than thegood of the whole school? I don't think so, and I don't believe MrBloomfield does either. Every fellow worth the name of a Willoughbitemust be sorry to see things as they are. (Hear, hear. ) Why should theyremain so? Surely the good of the school is more important thansquabbling about who is captain and which is the best house. Of course, we all back up our own house, and, as a Welcher now, I mean to try ifour house can't give a good account of itself before the term's over. (Loud cheers from Pilbury, Cusack, Philpot, etcetera. ) And if eachhouse pulls itself up, not at the expense of a rival house--(Hear, hear)--but for the glory of the school--(Hear, hear)--we shan't have tocomplain of Willoughby being degenerate much longer. You remember whatold Wyndham said the night before he left. As long as the fellows thinkfirst of the school and then of themselves Willoughby will be all right. Depend upon it he was right. We cheered him loud enough then, why nottake his advice still?" (Loud cheers. )

This spirited address roused the applause of all the better-mindedsection, whose cheers were not wholly unmingled with self-reproach. Bloomfield himself, it was plain, felt its force, and as to the morevehement members of Parrett's, it considerably damped their ardour. 

"Old man, " said Fairbairn that evening to his friend the captain, "youstruck a really good blow for the school this afternoon. I don't knowhow you managed to pitch on just the right thing to say, as you did. Things will come all right, take my word for it. They're beginningalready. "

Alas, there is many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip, as Willoughby hadyet to discover. 

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

IS WILLOUGHBY MAD?

Things did not mend all at once at Willoughby. No one expected theywould. And within a few days after the "debate in Parliament" it seemedas if the school had finally abandoned all ideas of order anddiscipline. 

The reader will remember that more than once mention had been made of anapproaching election for the free and enlightened borough of Shellport, which was occupying the attention not only of the town, and of thedoctor and his ladies, but also of the boys themselves. And the cheerswith which Morrison's notice of motion, mentioned in the last chapter, was received, showed plainly enough how things were going. 

By long tradition Willoughby had been a Whig school. Fellows did notexactly know what Whig meant, but they knew it was the opposite of Toryon one side and Radical on the other, and they went accordingly. On thepresent occasion, moreover, they had a sort of personal interest in theevent, for the Whig candidate, Sir George Pony, had been discovered tobe a sort of second uncle a few times removed of Pringle, one of theParrett's fags, whereas the Radical, Mr Cheeseman, was a nobody!

For all these reasons Willoughby felt it had a great stake in thecontest, and tacitly determined to make its voice heard. 

Small election meetings were held by the more enthusiastic politiciansof the school, for the purpose of giving vent to their anti-radicalsympathies. At these one boy was usually compelled to represent theWhig and another to figure as the unpopular Radical. And the cheeringof the one and the hooting of the other was an immense consolation tothe young patriots; and when, as usually happened, the meeting proceededto poll for the candidates, and it was announced that the Whig had got15, 999 votes (there were just 16, 000 inhabitants in Shellport), and theRadical only one (polled by himself), the applause would become simplydeafening. 

Even the seniors, in a more dignified way, took up the Whig cause, andwore the Whig colours; and woe betide the rash boy who sported theopposition badge!

The juniors were hardly the boys to let an occasion like this slip, andmany and glorious were the demonstrations in which they engaged. Theybroke out into a blaze of yellow, and insisted on wearing their colourseven in bed. Pringle was a regular hero, and cheered whenever he showedhis face; whereas Brown, the town boy, whose father was suspected ofbeing a Radical, was daily and almost hourly mobbed till his life becamea burden to him. All other distinctions and quarrels were forgotten inthis enthusiastic and glorious outburst of patriotic feeling. 

Two days before the election a mass meeting of juniors and Limpets ofall houses and ages, summoned by proclamation, was held in a corner ofthe playground, "to hear addresses by the candidates, and elect a memberfor Shellport. " Pringle, of course, was to figure as his distant uncle, and upon the unhappy Bosher had fallen the lot of assuming the unpopular_role_ of Mr Cheeseman. The meeting, though only professing to be ajuniors' assembly, attracted a good many seniors also, whose curiosityand sense of humour were by no means disappointed at the proceedings. 

The chairman, Parson, standing on the top of two cricket-boxes, with ayellow band round his hat, a yellow rosette on each side of his jacket, and a yellow tie round his neck, said they were met to choose a member, and knew who was their man. (Loud cheers for "Pringle. ") "They didn'twant any Radical cads--(cheers)--and didn't know what they wanted downhere. " (Cheers. ) (Bosher: "_I_ don't want to be a Radical, youknow. ")--(Loud cries of "Shut up!" "Turn him out!") He'd like to knowwhat that young ass Curtis was grinning at? He'd have him turned out ifhe had any of his cheek. He always suspected Curtis was a Radical. (Curtis: "No, I'm not--I'm for Pony. ") There, he knew he was, becauseRadicals always told crams! Whereat Parson resumed the level ground. Pringle, who had about as much idea of public speaking as he had ofChinese, was then hoisted up on to the platform amid terrific applause. 

He smiled vacantly, and nodded his head, and waved his hand, andoccasionally, when he caught sight of some particularly familiar friend, brought it up vertically near his nose. 

"Silence! Shut up! Hold your row for Pony!" yelled the chairman. 

"Go ahead, Pringle!" cried the candidate's supporters. 

"Speak out!" shouted the crowd. 

"All right, " said the unhappy orator, "what have I got to say, though?"

"Oh, anything--fire ahead. Any bosh will do. "

Pringle ruminated a bit, then, impelled to it by the cheers of hisaudience, he shouted, for lack of anything better to say, all he couldremember of his English history lesson of that morning. 

"Gentlemen--(cheers)--the first thing Edward III did on ascending thecrown--(terrific applause, in which the seniors present joined)--was tobehead the two favourite ministers--(prolonged cheers)--of his mother. "(Applause, amidst which Pringle suddenly disappeared from view, andMorrison, the Limpet, mounted the cricket-box. Morrison was apolitician after Willoughby's own heart. )

"I beg to move that Sir George Pony is a fit and proper member forWilloughby, " he screamed. "I think the Radicals ought all to be hung. (Cheers. ) They're worse than the Tories. (Counter-cheers. ) One'sabout as bad as the other. (United cheers. ) We're all Whigs here. (Applause. ) I say down with everybody that isn't. (Cheers. ) If theRadical gets in I don't mind if the Constitution gets smashed. " ("Nordo we!") "It will serve them right for allowing the Radicals in. "(Mighty applause. )

I am not going to continue the report of this animated and intellectualmeeting. It lasted till call-over, was renewed again directly aftertea, and continued long after the speakers and audience were in bed. Bosher got dreadfully mobbed, besides being hit on the ear with a stoneand hunted several times round the playground by the anti-Radicals. 

Altogether Willoughby had gone a little "off its head, " so to speak, onthe subject of the election. Riddell found himself powerless to controlthe excitement, and the other monitors were most of them too muchinterested in the event themselves to be of much service. The practicefor the Rockshire match, as well as the play of the newly-startedWelchers' club, was for the time completely suspended; and it wasevident that until the election was over there was no prospect of seeingthe school in its right mind again. 

The day before the event was a busy and anxious one for the captain. All day long fellows came applying to him on the wildest of pretexts for"permits" the following afternoon to go into town. Pilbury, Cusack, andPhilpot wanted to get their hair cut. King and Wakefield had to getmeasured for boots, and to-morrow afternoon was the only time they couldfix for the ceremony. Parson and Telson suddenly recollected that theyhad never called to pay their respects at Brown's after the pleasantevening they had spent there a few weeks ago. Strutter, Tedbury, and afew other Limpets were anxious to study geology that afternoon at theTown Museum, Pringle wanted to see how his "uncle" was getting on, etcetera, etcetera. 

All which ingenious pretexts the captain very naturally saw through andfirmly declined, much to the mortification of the applicants--who manyof them returned to the charge with fresh and still more ingeniousarguments for making an exception in their particular case. But all tono effect. About midday the captain's study was empty, and thefollowing notice pasted on the door told its own story. 

Notice. 

_By the Doctor's order, no permits will be allowed to-morrow. Call-overwill be at four instead of five_. 

A. Riddell, Capt. 

In other words, the authorities were determined that Willoughby shouldtake no part in the election, and to make things quite sure had fixedcall-over for the very hour when the poll would be closing. Of coursepoor Riddell came in for all the blame of this unpopular announcement, and had a bad time of it in consequence. It was at first reported thatthe captain was a Radical, and that that was the reason of theprohibition, but this story was contradicted by his appearance that sameevening with a yellow ribbon in his buttonhole. It was next insinuatedthat as he had not been allowed to go down himself he was determined noone else should, and Willoughby, having once taken up the idea, convinced itself this was the truth. However, when a good many of thedisappointed applicants went to Bloomfield, and were met by him with asimilar refusal, it began to dawn upon them that after all the doctormight be at the bottom of this plot to thwart them of their patrioticdesires, and this discovery, though it by no means allayed theirdiscontent, appeared to keep their resentment within some sort ofbounds. 

The juniors, disappointed in the hope of publicly displaying their anti-radical sentiments before all Shellport, looked about for consolationindoors that evening, and found it in a demonstration against theunlucky Bosher, who, against his will, had been forced to personate theRadical at the recent meeting, and now found it impossible to retrievehis reputation. He was hissed all round the playground, and finally hadto barricade himself in his study to escape further persecution. Buteven there he was not safe. The youthful Whigs forced their way intohis stronghold, and after much vituperation and reproach, proceeded tostill more violent measures. "Howling young Radical cad!" exclaimedTelson, who, carried away by the excitement of the hour, had forgottenall Mr Parrett's prohibitions, and had come to visit his old allies;"you ought to be ashamed of yourself. "

"Indeed, I'm Yellow, " pleaded the unhappy Bosher. "They forced me to beCheeseman at the meeting, but it wasn't my fault. "

"Don't tell crams, " cried the others. "It's bad enough to be a Radicalwithout trying to deceive us. "

"I'm not trying to deceive you, really I'm not, " protested Bosher. 

"I'll be anything you like. I hate the Radicals. Oh, I say, don't becads, you fellows. Let me be a Whig, do!"

"No, " cried the virtuous Parson. "We'll have no Radical cads on ourside. "

"But I'm not a Radical cad, " cried Bosher; "at least not a Radical. "

At that moment King made a sudden grab at a small black book which layon the mantelpiece. 

"Oh, you fellows, " cried he, "here's a lark. Here's his diary. "

A mighty Whig cheer followed the discovery, amidst which Bosher's wildprotests and entreaties were quite drowned. 

"His diary!" exclaimed Parson. "That'll show if he's a Radical or not. Hand it over, King. That'll show up his jolly gross conduct, eh?"

"No, no!" cried Bosher. "Give it up, you fellows; it's mine. Don't becads, I say; it's private. " And he made a wild dash for his treasure. 

But it was no use. Parson gravely addressed his prisoner. 

"Look here, young Bosher, it's no use making a row. We must look at thediary to see if you're really a Radical or not. It's our painful duty, so you'd better be quiet. We're sorry to have to do it, you know, butit can't be helped. If we find nothing Radical in the diary we'll letyou off. "

It was no use protesting, and poor Bosher had to submit with the bestgrace he could to hear his inmost thoughts read out in public. 

"Here, Telson, old man, " said Parson, "you read it. Speak out, mind. Better go backwards; start at yesterday. "

Telson took the precious volume solemnly and began, frequentlyinterrupted by the protests of the author, and more frequently by thelaughter of his audience. 

"`Thursday, the 4th day of the week. '" ("I always thought it was thefifth, " observed Cusack). --"Rose at 6:13. Time forbad to shave down inthe Big. N. B. --The world is big, I am small in the world, I sawestRiddell who is now in Welch's playing cricket with the little boys. Pilbury sported too, ugly in the face. (Here all but Pilbury seemedgreatly amused. ) Also Cusack, who thinks a great deal, "--("Hear, hear, "from Cusack)--"about himself. (Laughter. ) I attend an election at 10:2in the Big. Parson taketh the chair. Parson is a f--l and twobetween. "

"Oh!" broke in the outraged Parson. "I knew he was a Radical cad. Allright, Bosher, my boy; you'll catch it! Steam away, Telson!"

"`It was a gross meeting, Pringle being much stuck-up. He maketh aspeech. Meditations while Pringle is making a speech. The grass isvery green. (Great laughter at Pringle's expense. ) I will aspire upTelson thinketh he is much, but thou ist not oh, Telson, much at all Ispoke boldly and to the point. I am the Radical. '"

"There you are!" exclaimed Parson, triumphantly: "didn't I tell you so?Bosher! What do you mean by telling such howling crams, Bosher?"

"I only meant--"

"Shut up! Fire away, Telson!"

"`I am the Radical. I desire to smash everything the little Welchersmake noises. Meditations: let me be noble dinner at 3:1 stew. Theturnips are gross. I request leave of Riddell to go to the town to-morrow but he sayeth no. I am roused'--that's all of yesterday. "

"About enough too!" exclaimed the wrathful Parson. "Just read the daybefore, before we start hiding him. "

"Oh, please don't lick me!" cried the unhappy author: "I'll apologise, you know, Parson, Telson; please don't!"

"`Wednesday--rose at 8:13. Sang as I shaved the Vicar of Bray. I shallnow describe my fellows which are all ugly and gross. Parson is theworst. '"

"Eh?" exclaimed the wrathful owner of that name. 

"`Parson is the worst, '" read Telson, with evident glee, "`and--and--'oh, let's see, " he added, hurriedly turning over the page. 

"No, no; read fair; do you hear?" cried Parson. "No skipping. "

"I'll crack your skull, Bosher, " said Telson, indignantly, handing thediary across to Parson and pointing to the passage. 

"`--And Telson is the most conceited ignorant schoolhouse frog I eversaw at breakfast got thirty lines for gross conduct with the abominableKing. '"

"There!" exclaimed Telson, in a red heat; "what does he mean by it? Ofcourse, I don't care for myself; it's about the schoolhouse. "

"What's that he says about me?" said King. 

"`The abominable King, '" cried Telson, reading with great relish;"`thirty lines for gross conduct with the abominable King. '"

"Oh, I say, this is too much, you fellows, " cried King. 

"Not a bit too much. Just finish that day, Telson, " said Parson, handing back the diary. 

"Please give it up, " pleaded Bosher, but he was immediately sat upon byhis outraged companions, and forced to listen to the rest of thechronicle. 

"`Wyndham hath not found his knife. I grieve for Wyndham thinkingCusack and the little Welchers to be the thiefs. I smile when Cusackgoes to prison in the Parliament a gross speech is made by Riddell Ireply in noble speech for the Radicals. '"

"That'll do, that's enough; he _is_ a Radical then; he says so himself!"cried Telson, shutting up the book, and flinging it across the room atBosher, who was standing near the door and just dodged it in time. Aregular scramble ensued to secure the "gross" volume, in the midst ofwhich the unhappy author, seeing his chance, slipped from the room, andbolted for his life down the passage. 

His persecutors did not trouble to pursue him, and a sudden rumourshortly afterwards that Mr Parrett was prowling about sent Telson andthe few Welchers slinking back to their quarters. And so ended the eveof the great election. 

The next morning Riddell and those interested in the discipline of theschool were surprised to see that the excitement was apparently abated, instead of, as might have been expected, increased. The attendance atmorning chapel and call-over was most punctual, and between breakfastand first school only two boys came to him to ask for permits to go intotown. One of these was young Wyndham, whom Riddell had seen very littleof since leaving the schoolhouse. 

Wyndham's desire to go down into town had, as it happened, no connectionat all with the election. He was as much interested in that, of course, as the rest of Willoughby, but the reason he wanted to go to Shellportthis afternoon was to see an old home chum of his, from whom he had justheard that he would be passing in the train through Shellport thatafternoon. 

Great, therefore, was his disappointment when Riddell told him that nopermits were allowed that afternoon. 

"What?" exclaimed the boy. "I've not seen Evans for a year, and he'llthink it so awfully low, after writing to me, if I don't show up at thestation. "

"I'm awfully sorry, Wyndham, " said Riddell, who had heard so many wildpretexts for getting leave during the last two days that he even doubtedhow far Wyndham's might be true or not; "the doctor says no one is to godown, and I can't give any permits. "

"But I tell you all I want is to see Evans--there's no harm in that. "

"Of course not, and you should get the permit at once if any wereallowed. "

"You could give me one if you chose. "

"But if I gave to one I should have to give to all. "

"I don't see that you need tell everybody, " said Wyndham, nettled. 

"I'm sorry it can't be done, Wyndham; I can't make any exceptions, " saidthe captain, firmly. 

"You could well enough if you chose, " said Wyndham, sorely disappointedand aggrieved. "The fact is, I don't know why, I believe you've got aspite against me of late. "

"You know I haven't, Wyndham, " said Riddell, kindly. 

Wyndham did know, and at any other time would have felt reproached bythe consciousness of his own injustice. But he was just now so bitterlydisappointed that he smothered every other feeling, and answeredangrily, "Yes, you have, and I don't care if you have; I suppose it'sbecause I'm friends with Silk. I can tell you Silk's a good deal morebrickish to me than you are!"

Poor Riddell! This, then, was the end of his hopes of winning over hisold friend's brother. The words struck him like a knife. He wouldalmost sooner break all the rules in the school, so he felt that moment, than drive this one boy to throw in his lot with fellows like Silk!

"Wyndham!" he said, almost appealingly. 

But Wyndham was gone, and the chance was lost. 

The rest of that day passed miserably for the captain. An ominoussilence and order seemed to hang over morning school. No furtherapplicants molested him. No case of disorder was reported during themorning, and at dinner the boys were so quiet they might have been inchurch. 

Just after morning school, and before dinner, as he crossed theplayground, Wyndham passed him, talking and laughing with Silk; andneither of them noticed him. 

The captain retired to his study, dejected and miserable, and, as hisonly comfort, buried himself in his books. For an hour at least beforethe early call-over he might forget his trouble in hard work. 

But before that hour was half-over Riddell closed his book with a startand a sense of something unusual. This unearthly stillness all over theplace--he never remembered anything of the sort before. Not a soundrose from the neighbouring studies, and when he looked out theplayground was as deserted as if it had been the middle of the summerholidays. What did it all mean?

Then suddenly the truth flashed upon him. What could it mean, but thatWilloughby had mutinied, and, in open defiance of his authority, gonedown without leave to Shellport!

He hurried out of his room. There was scarcely a sound in the house. He went into the playground--only one boy, Gilks, was prowling aboutthere, half-mad with toothache, and either unable or unwilling to givehim any information. He looked in at Parrett's, no one was there, andeven the schoolhouse seemed desolate. 

The captain returned to his study and waited in anything but a placidframe of mind. He felt utterly humbled and crestfallen. It had reallyseemed of late as if he was making some headway in his uphill task ofruling Willoughby, but this was a shock he had never expected. Itseemed to point to a combination all over the school to thwart him, andin face of such a feeling further effort seemed hopeless. 

Riddell imagined too much. Would it have pained him to know that three-quarters of those who, politics-mad, had thus broken bounds thatafternoon had never so much as given him a thought in the matter, and infact had gone off, not to defy him, but simply to please themselves?

The bell for call-over rang, and Riddell went despondingly to the bighall. Only about a score of fellows, including Bloomfield, Porter, Fairbairn, Coates, and Wibberly (who, by the way, always did asBloomfield did), answered to their names amid a good deal of wonder anda little laughter. 

Bloomfield, who had also regarded the afternoon's business as a test ofhis authority, looked as crestfallen as the real captain, and for thefirst time that term he and Riddell approached one another with a commoninterest. 

"There'll be an awful row about this, " said he. 

"There will, " said Riddell; "will you report your fellows, or shall Isend up the whole list to the doctor?"

"You send up all the names, " said Bloomfield, "that is, unless Fairbairnwants to report the schoolhouse himself. "

"No, " said Fairbairn, "you send up the list, Riddell. "

And so Riddell's captaincy received its first undisputed acknowledgmentthat term, and he sent up his formidable list to the doctor, and withmingled curiosity, impatience, and despondency waited the result. 

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

THE NEW CAPTAIN TO THE RESCUE. 

There was something more than toothache the matter with Gilks thatafternoon. 

The fact was his spirits were a good deal worse than his teeth. Thingshad been going wrong with him for some time, ever since the day he waspolitely turned out of the schoolhouse boat. He had lost caste amonghis fellows, and what little influence he ever had among the juniors hadalso vanished. 

Still, if that had been all, Gilks would scarcely have been moping up atWilloughby among the virtuous few that afternoon, while the rest of theschool were running mad down in Shellport. 

He had a greater trouble than this. Silk, in whose genial friendship hehad basked for so many months, had not treated him well. Indeed, it wasa well-known fact in Willoughby that between these two precious friendsthere had been some sort of unpleasantness bordering on a row; and itwas also reported that Gilks had come off worst in the affair. 

This was the secret of that unfortunate youth's toothache--he had beenjilted by his familiar friend. Who would not feel sad under thecircumstances?

And yet Gilks's frame of mind was, so to speak, a good deal more blackthan blue. As he paced up and down the playground, rather like a wolfin a cage waiting for dinner, he was far more exercised to devise someway of making his faithless friend smart for his cruelty than to winback his affection. 

When two good fellows fall out it is bad enough, but when two badfellows fall out it may be even worse, for whereas in the former caseone of the two is probably in the right, in the latter both are prettycertain to be in the wrong. 

No one knew exactly what the quarrel had been about, or what, if any, were its merits, or whether it was a breaking off of all friendship ormerely a passing breeze. Whatever it was, it was enough to give Gilksthe "toothache" on this particular afternoon and keep him at Willoughby. 

The hour that elapsed after call-over dragged heavily for every one. The three heads of houses, after their brief consultation, went theirseveral ways--at least Bloomfield went his, while Riddell and Fairbairnsolaced themselves in one another's society. 

"What is the use of keeping up this farce?" exclaimed Riddell, when theywere back in his study. "_Isn't_ it a farce?"

"Not a bit of it. I don't think much of this affair at all. Of coursethere'll be a row, but it seems to me a case of temporary lunacy that wecan't be responsible for. "

"But the doctor holds me responsible. "

"You may be sure he won't be down on you for this. "

"And then, isn't it just a proof to the whole school that I've no moreauthority than the smallest junior? Look at that miserable notice thereon the door. Who has cared a rap about it?"

"My dear fellow, you're always flying off to despair whenever you getthe chance. The same thing might have happened to any captain. "

"I wish some one else was captain, " said Riddell. "The fellows willmind what I say less than ever now. I'm sure I would gladly give it upto Bloomfield. "

"All bosh. You know you wouldn't. And when you've got your head backyou'll laugh at yourself for thinking it. Besides, wasn't Bloomfieldevery bit as much cut up about it as you or me? But, " added Fairbairn, "to change the subject, do you see much of young Wyndham now you've leftus?"

"Not much. What about him?" asked Riddell, eagerly. 

"Only I fancy he's not all straight, " said Fairbairn. "He's fallen intobad hands I'm afraid. "

"That's an old story, " said Riddell; "but what has he done?"

"Nothing particular. I caught him coming home one night late, longafter call-over. I ought to have reported him for it, but I thought I'dtell you first. It's a pity for him, for he's not a bad fellow. "

"I'd give anything to get him away from Silk!" said Riddell. "It seemsa sort of infatuation with him, for he knows well enough Silk means himno good, and yet he's thick with him. And now I expect he'll cut mealtogether since I refused him a permit to the town this afternoon. "

"He's gone down all the same, " said Fairbairn. 

"Yes, and not alone either, " replied Riddell. 

"Hullo!" exclaimed Fairbairn just then, as a sudden sound broke theunwonted stillness of the deserted school, "that sounds like some of thefellows coming back. "

He was right. As the two seniors stood leaning out of the window, thesounds which at first had been little more than a distant murmurincreased to a roar. 

Willoughby was evidently returning in force, and anything butpeacefully. 

Cries of "Now then, school!"

"Hack it through, there!"

"Down with the Radicals!"

"Pony for ever!" mingled with yells and cheers and coarser shouts of"Down with the schoolboys!" indicated clearly enough that a livelybattle was in progress, and that Willoughby was fighting its way home. 

The whole town seemed to be coming at their heels, and more than once apitched battle had to be decided before any progress could be made. Butslowly and surely the discipline of the schoolboys, animated by thefamiliar words of command of the football-field, asserted itself abovethe ill-conditioned force of their assailants, and at every forward stepthe triumphant shout of "Pony for ever!" rose with a mighty cheer, whichdeafened all opposition cries. 

In due time the playground gate was reached, amid tremendous cheering, and next moment, driving before them some of their demoralisedopponents, the vanguard of the school burst in. 

Even Riddell and Fairbairn, as they looked down on the scene, couldhardly forbear a little natural pride on witnessing this triumphantcharge home of their truant schoolfellows. 

That the battle had been sore and desperate was evident by the limpinggait, the torn clothes, and the damaged faces of some of the combatantsas they swarmed in in an irresistible tide, amid the applause of theircomrades and the howls of the baffled enemy, who raged vainly withoutlike so many wild beasts robbed of their prey. 

Among the last to fight their way in were Game, Ashley, Tipper, and afew other seniors, who, truants as they were, had yet, to their credit, assumed the place of danger in the rear, where the crowd pressedthickest and with most violence. A sorry spectacle were some of theseheroes when finally they plunged into the playground and then turned atbay at the gate. 

"All in!" shouted a voice, and immediately a rush was made to close thegates and prevent further entrance, when a loud cry of "Hold on, Willoughby! Rescue here!" held them back. 

Riddell started at the sound, and next moment had vaulted from the lowwindow to the ground, closely followed by Fairbairn. 

"Rescue! rescue! Man down!" cried the school within. 

"Keep them in!--shut them in!" cried the roughs without. 

"It's young Wyndham!" said Riddell, rushing wildly to the front; "he'llbe murdered!"

"Scrag him!--scrag the schoolboy!" yelled the roughs, making a rush inthe direction of the cries. 

Not a moment was to be lost; in another minute it might be too late todo any good, and, with a tremendous shout of "Rescue, Willoughby!" theschool turned as wildly to get out of the playground as it had just nowstruggled to get in. 

The captain and Fairbairn were the first to get through the gate, followed closely by the other seniors. Riddell was conscious of seeingyoung Wyndham lying a few yards off among the feet of the roughs, and ofbeing himself carried forward to within reach of him; then of a blowfrom behind, which sent him forward, half-stunned, right on to the topof his young friend. 

After that Riddell was only dimly conscious of what passed, and it wasnot until he found himself once more in the playground, being helpedalong by Fairbairn towards the house, that he took in the fact that therescue had been accomplished, and that the battle was at an end. 

"Did they get Wyndham in all right?" he asked. 

"Yes. "

"Was he much damaged?"

"Very little. You got it worse than he did. "

"Some fellow got behind me and sent me over, " said Riddell. 

"Some fellow did, " said Fairbairn, fiercely, "and I know who. "

"Who?"

"Silk. "

"What! are you sure?"

"I was as close to you at the time as I am now--I'm quite sure. "

"The coward! Did any one else see it?"

"No, I think not. "

The two walked on in silence to Welch's house, and once more reached thestudy they had so abruptly quitted. 

"Are you badly hurt?" asked Fairbairn. 

"Not a bit; my shin is a little barked, that's all. "

"What a bulldog you can be when you like, old man, " said Fairbairn, laughing. "I never saw any one go into battle so gamely. Why, thewhole glory of the rescue belongs to you. "

"What bosh! You had to rescue me as well as Wyndham. But I'm thankfulhe's safe. "

"You're awfully sweet about that precious youngster, " said Fairbairn. "I hope he'll be grateful to you, that's all. "

Riddell said nothing, and shortly afterwards Fairbairn said he must go. As he was leaving Riddell called him back. 

"I say, Fairbairn, " said he, in his half-nervous way, "you needn't sayanything about Silk, there's a good fellow; it wouldn't do any good. "

"He deserves a good thrashing, " said Fairbairn, wrathfully. 

"Never mind; don't say anything about it, please. "

And Fairbairn promised and went. 

It was quite a novel sensation for the captain to find himself figuringin the eyes of Willoughby as a "bulldog. " He knew he was about the lastperson to deserve the proud title, and yet such are the freaks offortune, the exaggerated stories of the rescue, differing as they did innearly every other particular, agreed in this, that he had performedprodigies of valour in the engagement, and had, in fact, rescued Wyndhamsingle-handed. 

More than one fellow dropped in during the evening to inquire how hewas, and to confirm his new reputation. 

Pilbury and Cusack were among the first. 

"Is it true your leg's broken?" cried the latter, as he entered thestudy, in tones of unfeigned concern. 

"No, of course not, " replied the captain, laughing. "What made youthink so?"

"The fellows said so. Pil and I were too far behind to back you up, youknow, or we would have, wouldn't we, Pil?"

"Rather, " replied Pil. 

"Why, " said the captain, catching sight of the bruised and raggedcondition of these young men of war--"why, you've been knocked about agreat deal more than I have. "

"Oh, " said Cusack, "that was in the run up from Shellport, you know. Wedid get it a little hot at first until we pulled together and came up ina body. "

"Never mind, " said Pilbury, "it was a jolly fine show-up for Pony. He'ssure to get in; the Radicals were nowhere. "

"And what are you going to say to the doctor in the morning?" askedRiddell. 

"Eh? oh, I suppose we shall catch it. Never mind, there'll be lots tokeep us company. And we've given Pony a stunning leg-up. "

And so the two heroes, highly delighted with themselves, and still fartoo excited to feel ashamed of their mutinous conduct, departed to talkover the day's doings with the rest of their set, and rejoice in theglorious "leg-up" they had given to the Whig candidate. 

Other fellows looked in, and bit by bit Riddell picked up the wholehistory of that eventful afternoon. 

It did not appear whether the wholesale breaking of bounds had been apreconcerted act or a spontaneous and infectious impulse on the part ofthe whole school. Whichever it was, directly dinner was over and themonitors had retired to their houses, a general stampede had been madefor Shellport, and almost before many of the truants knew where theywere they were in the thick of the election crowd. 

At first each set vented its loyalty in its own peculiar way. Somestood in the streets and cheered everything yellow they could discover;others crowded round the polling places and groaned the Radicals; somewent off to look for the candidates themselves, and when at last SirGeorge Pony appeared on the scene in his carriage his enthusiastic youngsupporters set up a cheer enough to frighten the good old gentleman outof his wits, and, but for the active interference of the police, wouldhave insisted on taking out the horses and dragging the triumphal carthemselves round the town. 

For a considerable time these juvenile demonstrations were allowed topass with good-humoured forbearance by the town; but when presently, emboldened by their immunity, the schoolboys proceeded not only to hootbut occasionally to molest the opposite side, the young Shellportersbegan to resent the invasion. A few scuffles ensued, and the temper ofboth parties rose. The schoolboys waxed more and more outrageous, andthe town boys more and more indignant, so that just about the time whenthe poll was closing, and when call-over was being sounded up at theschool, a free fight had begun in the streets of Shellport. 

At the first alarm the school had rallied from all sides, andconcentrated its forces on the enemy, who seemed determined to disputeevery inch of the ground between the town and the school. 

How that battle ended, and how finally the schoolboys got home, we havealready seen. 

Riddell did not feel it his duty under present circumstances to read hisvisitors a lecture on the wickedness of breaking bounds. He said it wasa wonder they had all got up as safely as they had, and that no moredamage had been done. As to the penalties, he advised them to turn upat call-over in the morning and hear all about that from the doctor. 

Early next morning, just as Riddell was dressed, there was a knock athis door, and young Wyndham entered. 

He looked dejected and uncomfortable, but otherwise appeared to haverecovered from the effects of yesterday's ill-usage. 

"I say, " said he, going up to the captain and holding out his hand, "I'mawfully sorry I was such a cad to you yesterday. "

"Not a bit, old fellow, " said Riddell, seizing his hand, and glowingwith pleasure at this unexpected visit. "Everybody was a bit riled, andno wonder. "

"But I've no excuse, I know, after all your brickishness to me, and now, after your helping me out as you did in the scrimmage yesterday, I'mawfully ashamed of being such a low cad. "

This was evidently no put-on apology for the occasion, and Wyndham, ashe spoke, looked as penitent as his words. 

"Oh, nonsense!" said Riddell, who could never stand being apologised to, and always felt more uncomfortable at such times than the apologiser. "But I say, were you much hurt?"

"No, not much. I got down among their feet somehow and couldn't get up. But if you hadn't turned up when you did I might have got it hot. "

"It was Fairbairn pulled us both out, I think, " said Riddell, "for I wasdown too. "

"Yes, I hear you got an awful hack. "

"Nothing much at all. "

"I say, Riddell, " said Wyndham, nervously, after a pause, "I mean tobreak with Silk; I wish I'd never taken up with him. I shouldn't havegone down to the town at all yesterday if it hadn't been for him. "

"I think you'd be ever so much better without him, " said Riddell. 

"I know I would. Do you recollect lecturing me about sticking up formyself that night last month? I've been uncomfortable about chummingwith him ever since, but somehow he seemed to have a pull on me. "

"What sort of pull?"

"Oh, " said the boy, becoming still more uncomfortable, and afraid ofbreaking his promise to say nothing about Beamish's, "a good many thingsof one sort or another. I've gone wrong, I know. "

Wyndham would have given much to be free to make a full confession ofall his "going wrong" to the sympathetic Riddell, but, heartily weary ashe was of Silk and Gilks, he had promised them to keep their secrets, and young Wyndham, whatever his faults, was honest. 

Riddell was quick enough to see that there was something of the sort, and did not press to know more. It was too good news to hear from theboy's own lips that he was determined to break loose from these badfriends, to need to know any more. 

"I don't know how it is, " said Wyndham, after another pause. "It seemsso much easier for some fellows to keep square than for others. I'vemade up my mind I'd do right a dozen times this term, but it's nevercome off. "

"It's hard work, I know, " said Riddell, sympathisingly. 

"Yet it seems easy enough to you. I say, I wish you'd look sharp afterme for a week or so, Riddell, till I get a good start. "

Riddell laughed. 

"A lot of good that would do you! The best person to look sharp afteryoung Wyndham is young Wyndham himself. "

"Of course I know, " said the boy, "but I've sort of lost confidence inmyself. "

"We can't any of us stand by ourselves, " said the captain. "I know Ican't. But the help is easy to get, isn't it?"

I need not repeat all the talk that took place that morning between thetwo boys. What they said was meant for no ears but their own. How onein his quiet manly way tried to help the younger boy, and how the otherwith all sorts of fears and hopes listened and took courage, was knownonly to the two friends themselves, and to One other from Whom nosecrets--not even the secrets of a schoolboy--are hid. 

The bell for call-over put an end to their talk, and with lighter heartsthan most in Willoughby they walked across to the Great Hall and heardthe doctor's sentence on the truants of yesterday. 

It was not very formidable. No half-holiday next Wednesday, and for theseniors a hundred lines of Greek to write out; for the Limpets a hundredlines of Latin, and for the juniors fifty lines of Latin. The doctorhad evidently taken a lenient view of the case, regarding the escapademore as a case of temporary insanity than of determined disobedience. However, he relieved his mind by a good round lecture, to which theschool listened most resignedly. 

There was, however, one part of the punishment which fell heavily on afew of those present. Among the truants had been no less than fivemonitors--Game, Tipper, Ashley, Silk, and Tucker. 

"It would be a farce, " said the doctor, severely, "after what hashappened, to allow you to retain the posts of confidence you have heldin the school. Your blame is all the greater in proportion as yourinfluence was greater too. For the remainder of this term you cease tobe monitors. It depends entirely on yourselves whether next term youare reinstated. "

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

A MYSTERIOUS LETTER. 

It was hardly to be expected that the political excitement of Willoughbywould altogether disappear until the result of the election was madeknown. And for some reason or other a whole day had to elapse beforethe tidings found their way up to the school. 

After what had happened no one had the hardihood to ask leave to go downinto the town, and none of the butcher's or baker's boys that Parson andTelson intercepted in the grounds could give any information. The hopesof Willoughby centred on Brown, the town boy, whose arrival the nextmorning was awaited with as much excitement and impatience as if he hadbeen a general returning home from a victorious campaign. 

Fully aware of his importance, and feeling popularity to be too unusuala luxury to be lightly given up, he behaved himself at first withaggravating reserve. 

"Who's in!" shouted Parson from the school gate, the moment Brownappeared about a quarter of a mile down the road. 

Brown, of course, could not hear. 

The question was repeated with greater vehemence as he approached, untilat last he had no excuse for not hearing. 

"Do you hear, you old badger, who's in?" yelled Parson and Telson. 

"Look here, you kids, " said Brown, loftily, "who are you calling abadger? I'll knock your cheeky heads together if you don't look out. "

"Oh I say, who's in! can't you speak?" reiterated the youths, who atthis moment possessed only one idea between them. 

"Who is it? Who's got in?" repeated some Limpets, who were as eagerevery bit to hear as the juniors. 

"In where?" replied the aggravating Brown, shouldering his way in at thegate and intoxicated with his own importance. "What are you talkingabout?"

"Why, who's been elected for Shellport? Is Pony in?" shouted the boys, impatiently. 

"Pony!" rejoined Brown, half-contemptuously, "do you suppose they'd havean old stick like him!"

"What, " exclaimed Merrison. "Is Cheeseman in after all, then?"

"Eh?"

"Is Cheeseman in, can't you hear?"

"I never said he was, " replied Brown, majestically. 

This was rather too much, and a simultaneous rush was made for thepompous town boy, and the secret forcibly extracted in double quicktime. 

"Now, " cried one of the Limpets, giving his arm a premonitory screw, "out with it, or I'm sorry for you. "

"Here, let go my arm, you cad, I say; oh! you hurt! let go, I--oh! oh!Cheeseman's in!"

The arm was flung away in disgust as a simultaneous groan greeted theannouncement. 

"How much by?" demanded the inquisitors, once more preparing to applythe screw. 

But Brown had had quite enough of it, and answered glibly, "Eighthundred and twenty-five majority!"

This was a terrible blow, and in the general dismay which followed, Brown was temporarily overlooked. 

"Eight hundred and twenty-five!" exclaimed Merrison. "Why, it's anawful licking. Every one was sure Pony would be five hundred ahead. "

"It's foul play and bribery, depend on it, " said another. 

"Or they've counted wrong. "

"Or Brown is telling lies!"

Now, if Brown had been a wise boy he would have taken advantage of theexcitement which immediately followed his announcement to retreatquietly and rapidly up to the school, and he reproached himself greatlythat he had not. For the ill-temper of the assembly was only too readyto fix on some object upon which to vent itself, and this lastsuggestion, coupled with the suspicion that Brown's father had been oneof the backers of the Radical candidate, brought the town boy once moreinto most uncomfortable notoriety. 

He was hunted almost for his life round the playground and up to theschool. It was no use for him to protest that he was out-and-outyellow, that his father had been on Pony's committee. He was far toovaluable a scapegoat to be let off; and when at last he managed to boltheadlong into the school and seek shelter in the master's cloak-room, itis safe to say that though he himself felt rather the worse for theadventure, Willoughby on the whole felt rather better. 

In due time the news was confirmed, and the school settled ratherviciously down to its ordinary work. It was almost a relief when firstschool was over, and all those who had impositions to write were orderedto keep their places and begin their tasks. 

What venom of wrath and disappointment could they not put into thoseunlucky lines! If the paper had only been the skin of the RadicalCheeseman, and the pens needles, _how_ they would have delighted intheir penalty!

Scarcely had they begun work, however, when the school messenger cameround unexpectedly to summon the whole school to assemble in the GreatHall. What could it be? Was it another lecture? or had the doctorrepented of letting them off so easy? Or was there to be another changein the captaincy? or what?

The hall soon filled, and every one waited impatiently for the doctor. He arrived presently, with a letter in his hand and a somewhat importantlook on his face. 

"The last time I spoke in this room, " said he, "I had to discharge thepainful duty of punishing the whole school for a serious and inexcusableact of insubordination. "

"Why do they always call it a _painful_ duty?" inquired the artlessTelson of his ally; "I'm sure it doesn't hurt _them_. "

"Silence! whoever is speaking!" said the doctor, sternly. "I hope whatwas said then will not be forgotten. An act of that kind could notpossibly be allowed to pass without punishment, and any repetition of itwould entail the severest measures. However, I say no more of that atpresent. I have called you together to read to you a letter I have justreceived from the newly-elected Member for Shellport, Mr Cheeseman. "

As the doctor pronounced this unpopular name, one hardy junior, quitemistaking the gravity of the occasion, began a low hiss. 

Before the infection could spread the doctor suddenly laid down theletter, and with a voice of thunder demanded, "Who is that? Stand up, sir, in your place!"

The luckless form of the youthful Lawkins, pale and scared, rose from aback bench. 

"Leave the room, sir!" said the doctor, wrathfully, "and write out yourimposition double, and come to me after third school!"

Poor Lawkins retired, and the assembly, being warned by his awfulexample, heard the doctor out without further interruption. 

"Mr Cheeseman writes as follows:--

"`Dear Dr Patrick, --I hope I need no apology for writing to you on amatter affecting the boys under your charge. A large number of theseyoung politicians, as you are aware, took a somewhat active part in therecent election, in which it was not my good fortune to be theirfavourite candidate. I understand that their crusade into the town wasnot only without your permission, but in direct opposition to yourwishes; and I conclude, that being so, the offenders have merited thepunishment due for such escapades. The election, as you know, is nowdecided, and I am anxious that one of my first acts in my new capacityshould be one of intercession with you to take as lenient a view as youcan of this schoolboy freak; and if you should find it consistent withyour duty to remit any penalty that may have been inflicted, I shall beas grateful to you as no doubt your boys will be. '

"`I am, dear doctor, '

"`Yours faithfully, '

"`A. Cheeseman. '"

The doctor laid down the letter amidst ominous silence, which even thefeeble cheers of Bosher, Brown, and a few others barely disturbed. 

"In consideration of this generous letter, " he continued, "I havedecided to remit the impositions I gave on Saturday, and also towithdraw the prohibition about the half-holiday. The matter of themonitors I cannot reconsider. I may suggest that, after what hashappened, it would be a graceful act on the part of the boys to send MrCheeseman a letter of thanks, at any rate, if not of apology. You arenow dismissed. "

It was quite evident that the majority of the boys were at a loss how totake this strange and unexpected announcement. True, they hated theRadicals, but they also hated impositions and detention, and theprobability is that, if left to themselves, they would quietly haveavailed themselves of Mr Cheeseman's clemency. 

But to the small band of hot-headed enthusiasts the very notion of beingunder an obligation to the Radical was repulsive. They could scarcelywait till the doctor had departed before they vehemently denounced theidea. 

"Well, " said Merrison, "if that's not what you call adding insult toinjury, I don't know what you do! I know _I_ mean to write every letterof my impot if it was a thousand lines instead of a hundred!"

"So shall I; and I'll not stir out of doors all Wednesday afternooneither, " said another. 

"Of course not; no honourable fellow would. "

"I suppose he thinks he's going to bribe us, the cad. Perhaps he hopeswe'll give _him_ a leg-up next election?"

"I vote we put on a spurt with the impots and get them all donetogether, " said another. "Paddy shall see which way we go, at anyrate. "

And so, sorely to the disappointment of some of the juniors, who hadbeen rejoicing prematurely in the removal of their penalties, the orderwent round in all the houses that every boy was expected in honour tofinish his imposition by next day, and also to remain in on Wednesdayafternoon, as a protest against "Radical cheek, " and this was an appealno loyal Whig could resist. 

It was at least an unusual spectacle in Willoughby to see nearly thewhole school insisting on performing a task which no one required ofthem; each boy not only doing it himself, but seeing that his neighbourdid it too!

Several of the small boys and a few lazy seniors protested, but theywere coerced with most terrific threats. 

The Wednesday half-holiday was spent in determined seclusion, scarcely aboy showing his face in the playground. Even those who had not brokenbounds on election-day, and who, therefore, in no case came under thepenalty, felt quite out of it, and half ashamed of themselves in thepresence of this general burst of political devotion; and it wasrumoured that one or two of the weakest-minded of these actually stayedin and wrote out the imposition too!

The following morning was an impressive one in the annals of Willoughby. The doctor, as he stood in the Great Hall speaking to Mr Parrett aftermorning prayers, was, much to his amazement, waylaid by the school in abody. Every boy carried in his hand a sheet of paper, and wore on hisface a most self-satisfied expression. 

"What is all this?" inquired the doctor, sharply, a little bitfrightened, perhaps, at this sudden and mysterious invasion of hisprivacy. 

Merrison was pushed forward by the crowd, and advancing paper in hand, replied for the company generally. 

"Please, sir, " said he, "we've brought the impositions. "

"Eh?" said the doctor. 

"The impositions, sir. We didn't want to be let off, so we stayed inyesterday afternoon, all of us, and wrote them. "

From the tones in which Merrison uttered this explanation one might havesupposed he expected the doctor to fall on his neck and shed tears ofjoy over the lofty virtue of his pupils. 

Dr Patrick was quick enough to take in the state of affairs at once, and was wise enough to make the best of the situation. 

"Ah, " said he, coolly, taking Morrison's proffered imposition andglancing his eyes down it. "I am glad to see you desire to make amendsfor what occurred on Saturday. You can leave the impositions on thistable. "

"Please, sir, it's not that, " said Merrison, hurriedly, alarmed at beingsuspected of anything like contrition. "It's not that; we--"

"You can leave the impositions on the table, " said the doctor, sternly, turning at the same time to continue his conversation with Mr Parrett, which the arrival of the visitors had interrupted. 

It was a sad blow for Willoughby, this! They had expected betterthings. They had meant their act of self-devotion to be a crushingdefiance to the Radical, and even a mild rebuke to the doctor himself. But it had turned out neither. 

Slowly and sorrowfully they filed past the table and laid theirsacrifices thereon, and then departed, dejected and crestfallen. Thedoctor, with his back turned, never noticed them, and no one had thehardihood to attempt further to attract his attention. 

So ended the election episode at Willoughby. 

"I hope you've enjoyed yourselves, " said Crossfield to Tedbury theLimpet, that afternoon. "Jolly time you've had of it. "

"It's all that young ass Morrison's doing, " growled Tedbury. 

"Never mind, " said Crossfield, laughing; "I'm sure it's done you allgood. You all wanted something of the sort, and you'll be better ofit. "

"You're always trying to make a fool of me, Crossfield, " said Tedbury, wrathfully. 

"My dear fellow, there's not much chance of that. You are far too gooda hand at making a fool of yourself to put any one else to the trouble. Ta, ta. Shall you be down at the cricket practice again now?"

This last was a pertinent question. For in the midst of all the latepolitical excitement cricket had decidedly languished at the school, andthe Rockshire match as well as the house matches were getting alarminglynear. 

However, on the first afternoon after Willoughby had returned to itssenses a general rush took place once more to the Big, and it wasevident during the week which followed that the fellows intended to makeup for lost time. 

Nowhere was this activity more observed than in the newly-revivedWelchers' club, presided over by the captain, and enlivened by thecountenances of that ardent trio, Cusack, Pilbury, and Philpot. 

During the week preceding the election they had worked with unabatedenthusiasm. You might have seen practice going on any morning at half-past six in the Welchers' corner of the Big. The other houses at firstregarded it as a good joke, and the earliest practices of the new clubwere usually performed in the presence of a large and facetiousaudience, who appeared to derive infinite delight from every ball thatwas bowled and every run that was made. But the Welchers were not to besnuffed out. Riddell watched over the fortunes of the new club withmost paternal interest, losing no opportunity of firing its enthusiasm, and throwing himself heart and soul into its work. Indeed, as acricketer the captain came out in quite a new light, which astonishedeven himself. 

He had always taken for granted he was utterly incapable of any athleticachievement, but, with the steady practice now entailed upon him, itbegan to dawn, not only upon himself, but other people, that as afielder--at slip or cover-slip--he was decidedly useful, while as abatsman he exhibited a certain style of his own that usually broughttogether a few runs for his side. 

But even his own success was less than that of the club generally. Every member of that small fraternity was intent on the glory of theclub, and worked hammer and tongs to secure it. Mr Parrett, kindlyjack-of-all-trades as he was, was easily persuaded by Riddell to comedown occasionally and bowl them a few balls, and give them a few hintsas to style generally. And every time he came down he was moreencouraging. Even Bloomfield and a few of the First Eleven magnatesthought it worth their while to saunter round once or twice and watchthe practice of this promising club. 

It may be judged that, in proportion as the young Welchers foundthemselves succeeding, their enthusiasm for their club and its presidentincreased. The club grew daily. Some Limpets joined it, and even a fewseniors. There was some talk of a first eleven to play in the housematches, while by this time the second-eleven was an accomplished fact, its members thirsting for the day when they should match their prowessagainst the Parretts or schoolhouse juniors. 

The election, as I have said, had rudely interrupted all this healthypreparation, and for a moment it seemed to Riddell as if all his newhold on his boys had disappeared. But that event once over, great washis relief to find that they returned to the sport with unabated andeven increased ardour. 

That week Welch's had out for the first time two sets of wickets, andeven thus could hardly keep going all who wanted to play. 

"I tell you what, " said Bloomfield, one afternoon, as, with his friendAshley, he was quietly looking on, while pretending not to do so, "saywhat you will, Riddell doesn't do badly at slip. Watch this over. "

As it happened, Mr Parrett was bowling down some rather swift balls tothe boy who was batting, with a little break from the off, which thebatsman seemed unable to play in any manner but by sending them amongthe slips. So that, during the over, Riddell, blissfully unconscious ofthe critical eyes that were upon him, had a busy time of it. And sowell did he pick the balls up that the two spies stayed to watch anotherover, and after that another, at the close of which Bloomfield said, "Upon my word, it's not half bad. And a slip's the very man we want tomake up the eleven for Rockshire. "

"My dear fellow, " said Ashley, in tones almost of alarm, "you're surelynot thinking of putting a fellow like that into the eleven. "

"I don't care much who goes in so long as he can play, " said Bloomfield. 

"But fancy the fellow's bumptiousness if he gets stuck into the team!He's bad enough as it is, " said Ashley. 

"We've got the schoolhouse fellows to look at, " said Bloomfield, "_come_along. If they've any one better we'll take him, but we _must_ get holdof the best man. "

So off they went, and the Welchers' practice continued gaily till thebell for call-over sounded. 

"Riddell, " said Cusack, who had become captain's fag since the migrationto Welch's, "there's a letter for you. "

"Where?" asked the captain. 

"On your table. I saw it there when I was sticking away your pens justnow. "

"You may as well bring it, " said Riddell; "I am going to the library. "

So Cusack went off, and presently reappeared in the library with theletter. 

Riddell was busy at the moment searching through the catalogue, andconsequently let the letter lie unopened for some little time besidehim. In due time, however, he turned and took it up. 

It was a strangely directed letter, at any rate--not in ordinaryhandwriting, but in printed characters, evidently to disguise theauthorship. 

Riddell hastily tore open the envelope of this mysterious missive andread the contents, which were also written like printing, in charactersquite unrecognisable. 

The letter was as follows:

"Riddel, --If you want to get to the bottom of that boat-race affair, youhad better see what Tom the boat-boy has to say. That's all. "

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

TOM THE BOAT-BOY EARNS FOUR-AND-SIXPENCE. 

Riddell, as he read over and over again the mysterious document in hishand, hardly knew what to make of it. 

It looked like a clue, certainly. But who had sent it? Was it a friendor an enemy; and if the latter, might it not just as likely be a hoax asnot?

He examined the disguised writing letter for letter, but failed torecognise in it the hand of any one he knew. He called back Cusack andcross-examined him as to how and when the letter was brought to hisstudy; but Cusack could tell him nothing. All he knew was that when hewent in to look after Riddell's tea that afternoon, it was lying thereon the table. He couldn't say how long it had been there. He hadn'tbeen in the room since dinner, nor had Riddell. 

Cusack was very curious to know what the letter was about concerningwhich the captain seemed so much excited; but Riddell declined togratify him on this point, and put the paper away in his pocket andreturned to his work. 

"No, " said he to himself, "if it's a hoax there's no object in making itpublic property, and still less reason if there's anything in it. "

Of one thing he was determined--he must go down to-morrow morning andhave an interview with Tom the boat-boy. The thing _might_ all be ahoax, but if there was the remotest chance of its being otherwise it wasclearly his duty to do what he could to find out the miscreant who hadbrought such disgrace upon Willoughby. So he spent a somewhat uneasyevening, and even appeared absent-minded when young Wyndham, now aconstant visitor to his study, paid his usual evening call. 

"I say, " said the boy, with beaming face, as he entered, "isn't itprime, Riddell? Bloomfield's going to try me in the second-eleven, hesays. You know I've been grinding at cricket like a horse lately, andhe came down and watched me this afternoon, and I was in, and made noend of a lucky score off Dobson's bowling. And then Bloomfield saidhe'd bowl me an over. My eye! what a funk I was in. I could hardlyhold the bat. But I straightened up somehow, and his first ball wentby. The next was frightfully swift, and dead on, but it broke a bit tothe leg, and I was just in time to get at it and send it right awaybetween long-leg and long-stop in the elms--a safe five if we'd beenrunning. And old Bloomfield laughed and said he couldn't wait till theball was sent up, and said I could turn up at the second-eleven Bigpractice to-morrow and see how I got on there. I say, isn't it prime, Riddell? I tell you, I shall stand on my head if I get into the team. "

Riddell had only partially heard this jubilant speech, for at thatmoment Tom the boat-boy was more in his thoughts even than Wyndham theLimpet. However, he had heard enough to gather from it that his young_protege_ was in a vast state of joy and content, and as usual he wasready with any amount of sympathy. 

"It will be splendid if you do get in, " said he. 

"Yes. They've only got eight places actually fixed, I hear, so I'vethree chances. I say, Riddell, I like Bloomfield, do you know? I thinkhe's an awfully good captain. "

Riddell could not help smiling at this artless outburst from the youngcandidate for cricket honours, and replied, "I like him too, for he cameand watched our practice too, here at Welch's. "

"Did he bowl you any balls?" demanded Wyndham. 

"No, happily, " said Riddell; "but some one told me he told somebody elsethat I might possibly squeeze into the eleven against Rockshire if Ipractised hard. "

"What!" exclaimed Wyndham, in most uncomplimentary astonishment. "_You_in the first eleven! I say, it must be a mistake. "

"I'm afraid they'll think it a mistake, " said Riddell, laughing; "but Icertainly have heard something of the sort. "

"Why, you usen't to play at all in our house, " said Wyndham. 

"No more I did; but since I came here I've been going in for it rathermore, though I never dreamt of such rapid promotion. "

"Well, " said Wyndham, quite patronisingly, "I'm jolly glad to hear it;but I wish you were in the schoolhouse instead of Welch's. By the way, how are the `kids' in your house getting on?"

"The `kids' are getting on very well, I fancy, " said the captain. "They've a match with the Parrett's juniors fixed already, and mean tochallenge the schoolhouse too, I fancy. "

"I say, that's coming it rather strong, " said Wyndham, halfincredulously. 

"It's a fact, though, " said Riddell, "and what's more, I have it onParrett's authority that they are getting to play very well together, and any eleven that plays them will have to look out for itself if it isto beat them. "

"Ho, ho! I guess our fellows will be able to manage that. Of course, you know, if I'm in the second-eleven, I shan't be able to play with myhouse juniors. "

"That will be a calamity!" said Riddell, laughing, as he began to getout his books and settle himself for the evening's work. 

Despite all the boy's juvenile conceit and self-assurance, Riddellrejoiced to find him grown enthusiastic about anything so harmless ascricket. Wyndham had been working hard the last week or so in a doublesense--working hard not only at cricket, but in striving to act up tothe better resolutions which, with Riddell's help, he had formed. Andhe had succeeded so far in both. Indeed, the cricket had helped thegood resolutions, and the good resolutions had helped the cricket. Aslong as every spare moment was occupied with his congenial sport, and aplace in the second-eleven was a prize within reach, he had neither timenor inclination to fall back on the society of Silk or Gilks, or any oftheir set. And as long as the good resolutions continued to fire hisbreast, he was only too glad to find refuge from temptation in thesteady pursuit of so honourable an ambition as cricket. 

He was, if truth must be told, more enthusiastic about his cricket thanabout his studies, and that evening it was a good while before Wyndhamcould get his mind detached from bats and balls and concentrated onLivy. 

Riddell himself, too, found work more than ordinarily difficult thatnight, but his thoughts were wandering on far less congenial ground thancricket. 

Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act? It wasno pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty ofbringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of hisexpulsion. And yet the honour of Willoughby was at stake, and nosqueamishness ought to interfere with that. He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study. 

"I say, " said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, andstrangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind wasfull--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do youknow? You don't hear nearly so much about it now. "

"The thing is, ought it to blow over?" said the captain, gravely. 

"Why, of course! Besides, after all it may have been an accident. Ibroke a bit of cord the other day, and it looked just as if it had beenpartly cut through. Anyhow, it's just as much the Parretts business asours, and they aren't doing anything, I know. "

"It would be a good deal more satisfactory to have it cleared up, " saidRiddell. 

"It would do just as well to have a new race, and settle the thing rightoff--even if they were to lick us. "

Wyndham went soon afterwards. Riddell was too much occupied with hisown perplexities to think much just then of the boy's views on thisburning question. And after all, had he thought of them, he wouldprobably have guessed, as the reader may have done, that Wyndham'spresent cricket mania made him dread any reopening of the old sorenessbetween Parrett's and the schoolhouse, which would be sure to result, among other things, in his exclusion, as a member of the latterfraternity, from the coveted place in the second-eleven. 

The next morning the captain was up early, and on his way to the boat-house. Ever since the race the river had been almost deserted, at anyrate in the early mornings. 

Consequently when Riddell arrived at the boat-house he found no one up. After a good deal of knocking he managed to rouse the boatman. 

"I want Tom, " he said, "to steer me up to the Willows. "

"You might have let me known you'd want the gig yesterday, " said theman, rather surlily; "I'd have left it out for you overnight. "

Had it been Bloomfield or Fairbairn, or any other of the boating heroesof Willoughby, Blades the boatman would have sung a very different song. But a boatman does not know anything about senior classics. 

"You'll find a boat moored by the landing there, " said that functionary;"and give a call for young Alf, he'll do to steer you. "

But this would not suit Riddell at all. "No, " said he; "I want Tom, please, and tell him to be quick. "

The man went off surlily, and Riddell was left to kick his heels fortwenty minutes in a state of very uncomfortable suspense. 

At length, to his relief, Tom, a knowing youth of about fourteen, appeared, with a cushion over one shoulder and a pair of sculls over theother, and the embarkation was duly effected. 

Tom was a privileged person at Willoughby. In consideration of notobjecting to an occasional licking, he was permitted to be as impudentand familiar as he pleased to the young gentlemen in whose service helaboured. Being a professional waterman, he considered it his right topatronise everybody. Even old Wyndham last season had received mostfatherly encouragement from this irreverent youngster, while any one whocould make no pretensions to skill with the oars was simply at hismercy. 

This being so, Riddell had made up his mind for a trying time of it, andwas not disappointed. 

"What! so you're a-goin' in for scullin' then?" demanded the youngwaterman as the boat put off. 

"Yes; I want to try my hand, " said the captain. 

"_You'll_ never do no good at it, I can tell yer, before yer begins, "said the boy. 

So it seemed. What with inexperience of the sculls, and nervousnessunder the eye of this ruthless young critic, and uneasiness as to theoutcome of this strange interview, Riddell made a very bad performance. 

"Ya-ow! I thought it would come to that!" jeered Tom when, after a fewstrokes, the captain got his sculls hopelessly feathered under water andcould not get them up again. "There you are! That comes of diggin'!Always the way with you chaps!"

"Suppose, instead of going on like that, " said Riddell, getting up theblades of his sculls with a huge effort, "you show me the way to do itproperly!"

"What's the use of showing you? You could never learn, I can see it bythe looks of you!"

After this particularly complimentary speech Riddell rowed ploddingly onfor a little distance, Tom whistling shrilly in the stern all the way ina manner most discouraging for conversation. 

But Riddell was determined, come what would, he would broach theunpleasant subject. Consequently, after some further progress up-stream, he rested on his oars, and said, "I've not been out on the watersince the day of the boat-race. "

"Aren't you, though?" said Tom. 

A pause. 

"That was a queer thing, the rudder-line breaking that day, " saidRiddell, looking hard at his young companion. 

Tom apparently did not quite like it. Either it seemed as if Riddellthought _he_ knew something about the affair, or else his conscience wasnot quite easy. 

"In course it was, " replied he, surlily. "I knows nothink about it. "

Riddell, for a quiet, nervous boy, was shrewd for his age, and there wassomething in Tom's constrained and uncomfortable manner as he made thisdisclaimer that convinced him that after all the mysterious letter _had_something in it. 

It was a bold step to take, he knew, and it might end in a failure, buthe would chance it at any rate. 

"You do know something about it, Tom!" said he, sternly, and with asearching look at the young waterman. 

Tom did! He didn't say so! Indeed he violently denied that he did, andbroke out into a state of most virtuous indignation. 

"Well I ever, if that ain't a nice thing to say to a chap. I tell you, I knows nothink about it. The idea! What 'ud I know anythink about itfor? I tell you you're out, governor. You're come to the wrong shop--do you hear?"

Riddell did hear; and watching the boy's manner as he hurried out theseprotests, he was satisfied that he was on the right tack. 

It had never occurred to him before. Perhaps the culprit was Tomhimself; perhaps it was he who, for some reason of his own, had cut theline and caused all the mischief. 

If that were so, what a relief and what a satisfaction it would be!Riddell felt that if Tom himself were the wrong-doer he could almostembrace him, so great would be his joy at knowing that no Willoughby boywas guilty of the crime. But it was too good a notion to be true, andTom soon dispelled it. 

"I tell you, " continued he, vehemently, but looking down so as to avoidthe captain's eye. "I tell you I aren't done it, there. It's no useyour trying to fix it on me. Do you suppose I wouldn't know if I'd doneit? You blame the right parties, governor, do you hear? I _ain't_ doneit. "

"I never said you did, " replied Riddell, feeling he had by this time gotthe upper hand in the argument, "but you know who did. "

"There you go. How do I know? I don't know, and I ain't done it. "

"Do you mean to tell me, " said Riddell, "the lines could have been cutand you not know it? Don't you sleep in the boat-house?"

"In course I do--but I ain't done it, there!"

"Don't be a young fool, Tom, " said Riddell, sternly. "What I want toknow is who did do it. "

"How do you suppose I know?" demanded the boy. 

"Who did do it?" again repeated Riddell. 

"I don't know, there!" retorted Tom. "I never see his face. "

"Then some one did come to the boat-house that night?" said Riddell. 

"How do I know? Suppose they did?"

"Suppose they did? I want to know who it was. "

"I tell you I don't know. It was pitch dark, and I ain't seen his face, there; and what's more, I don't know the chap. "

"But you let him into the boat-house?"

"No, I didn't, " said Tom, whose strong point was evidently not instanding cross-examination. "That's where you're wrong again. You'reall wrong. "

"You knew he was there, at any rate, " said Riddell. 

"No, I didn't. You're wrong agin. You don't know what you're talkin'about. How could I know he was there, when I worn't there myself?"

"What! did he get in while you were away?"

"In course he did. Do you suppose I goes to bed like you kids at eighto'clock? No fear. Why, I don't get my supper at Joe Blades's tillten. "

"Then you found some one in the boat-house when you went there, aftersupper, to go to bed?"

"There you are, all wrong agin. How do you suppose I'd find him when hegot out of the window?"

"Then he came in and went out by the window?" asked Riddell. 

"Why, you don't suppose he could come down the chimbley, do you?"retorted Tom, scornfully, "and there's no way else. "

"You had the key of the door all the time, of course, " said Riddell. 

"In course. Do you suppose we leaves the boat'us open for anybody aslikes to come in without leave?"

"Then it was seeing the window open made you know some one had been in?"continued the captain. 

"Wrong agin! Why, you aren't been right once yet. "

"Do you mean you really saw some one there?"

"How _could_ I see him when he was a-hoppin' out of the winder just as Icomes in? I tell you I didn't see him. You couldn't have sor himeither, not with all your learnin'. "

"Then you've no idea who it was?"

"Ain't I? that's all you know. "

"Why, you say you never saw him. Did you hear his voice?"

"No, I didn't. "

"Has some one told you? Has he come and told you himself?"

"No, he ain't. Wrong agin. "

"Did he leave anything behind that you would know him by, then?"

The boy looked up sharply at Riddell, who saw that he had made a point, and followed it up. 

"What did he leave behind? His cap?" he asked. 

"His cap! Do you suppose chaps cut strings with their caps? Why, youmust be a flat. "

"His knife, was it?" exclaimed Riddell, excitedly. "Was it his knife?"

"There you go; you're so clever. I as good as tell yer, and then you goon as if you guessed it yourself! You ain't got as much learnin' as youthink, governor. "

"But was it his knife he left behind?" inquired Riddell, too eager toattend to the sarcasms of his companion. 

"What could it 'a been, unless it might be a razor. You don't cut ropeswith your thumb-nails, do you? Of course it was his knife. "

"And have you got it still, Tom?"

Here Tom began to get shy. As long as it was only information that thecaptain wanted to get at he didn't so much mind being cross-examined, but directly it looked as if his knife was in peril he bristled up. 

"That'll do, " said he gruffly; "my knife's nothink to do with you. "

"I know it isn't, and I don't want to take it from you. I only want tolook at it. "

"Oh, yes; all very fine. And you mean to make out as it's yourn and youwas the chap I saw hoppin' out of the winder, do yer? I know better. He weren't your cut, so you needn't try to make that out. "

"Of course it wasn't I, " said Riddell, horrified even at the baresuspicion, still more at the idea of any one confessing to such a crimefor the sake of getting a paltry knife. 

Still Tom was obdurate and would not produce his treasure. In vainRiddell assured him that he made no claim to it, and, even if the knifewere his own, would not dream of depriving the boy of it now. Tomlistened to it all with an incredulous scowl, and Riddell was beginningto despair of ever setting eyes on the knife, when the boy solved thedifficulty of his own accord. 

"What do you want to look at it for?" he demanded. "Only to see if Iknew whose it was once. "

"Well, I ain't a-goin' to let yer see it unless you lay a half-a-crowndown on that there seat. There! I ain't a-going to be done by you orany of your scholars. "

Riddell gladly put down the money and had the satisfaction at last ofseeing Tom fumble in his pockets for the precious weapon. 

It was a long time coming to light, and meanwhile the boy kept asuspicious eye on the money, evidently not quite sure whether, afterall, he was safe. 

At length from the deepest depth of his trouser pocket his hand emerged, bringing with it the knife. 

Had Tom not been so intent on the half-crown which lay on the seat hewould have been amazed at the sudden pallor which overspread thecaptain's face and the half-suppressed gasp which he gave as his eyesfell on--_young Wyndham's knife_!

There was no mistaking it. Riddell knew it well. Wyndham when first hepossessed it was never tired of flourishing it proudly before all hisacquaintances, and finding some pretext for using it or lending it everyfive minutes of the day. 

Riddell had often had it pressed upon him. Yes, and now, with a shockthat was almost sickening, he recollected that he had had it in his handthat very night before the boat-race. 

And with the thought there rushed in upon him the whole memory of thatevening. How excited, how restless the boy had been, how impossible hehad found it to work, how wildly he had talked about the coming race, and how he had set his mind on the schoolhouse boat winning. Riddellremembered every word of it now, and how Wyndham's excitement hadbaulked him of his desire for a serious talk that evening. And then heremembered how abruptly the boy had left him, returning hurriedly amoment after for his knife--this very knife which less than two hoursafterwards had been dropped on the boat-house floor in the culprit'shurried retreat by the window!

Riddell felt literally sick as it all rushed through his mind at thesight of the knife in Tom's hand. 

"Have you seen it enough?" demanded the youth, still eyeing the half-crown. 

"Yes, " murmured Riddell. And surely he never uttered a truer word. 

Tom, startled by his voice, looked up. 

"Hullo, " said he, "what's up? One would think you'd never saw a knifeafore!"

Riddell tried feebly to smile and recover himself. 

"Tell you what, " said Tom, struck with a brilliant idea--"tell you what, governor. You lay another two bob on the top of that there half-a-crownand it's your's. Come!"

Riddell mechanically took out his purse and produced the florin. It wasalmost the last coin that remained of his pocket-money for that term, but he was too miserable even to think of that. 

Tom grabbed at the money eagerly, and deposited the knife in Riddell'shand in exchange. 

Then, with a load on his heart such as he had never felt before, thecaptain turned the boat's head and rowed slowly back to Willoughby. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

THE ROCKSHIRE MATCH. 

Riddell was not destined to have much leisure during the next few daysfor indulging his misery or making up his mind in what direction hisduty lay. 

As he reached the school after his memorable excursion on the river, hewas met by Fairbairn, who had evidently been on the lookout for him. 

"Why, where have you been? and what's wrong?" he exclaimed, as heobserved his friend's dejected looks. 

"I've been a turn on the river, " replied Riddell, making a desperateeffort to recover his wits and look cheerful. 

"You look every bit as if you were just starting there to drownyourself, " said Fairbairn; "but, I say, I've got a message for you. "

"From whom?" inquired Riddell, who had had quite enough "messages"during the last few days to last him for the rest of the term. 

"You'd scarcely guess--from Bloomfield. The thing is, he has two placesyet to fill up in the eleven for Saturday, and he wants you to play forone. "

Despite his trouble, Riddell could hardly conceal a smile of pleasure atthis honour, which, though not exactly unexpected, he had hardlyrealised till now. 

"Oh, I say, " said he, "I'm certain there are lots of better fellows. "

"You may be quite sure if there had been Bloomfield would have pickedthem up, " said Fairbairn. "As it happens, we want a slip, and I heardBloomfield say himself that you are awfully good there. You seem tohave hidden your light under a bushel, old man, while in theschoolhouse. "

"I may have been lucky while Bloomfield was watching, " said Riddell. 

"All gammon. You needn't fancy he's doing this to compliment you, oldman. Game and that lot are awfully down on him about it. They'd liketo make up the team entirely of Parretts, but it seems they can't dowithout us for once! Of course you'll play. "

"Oh, yes, " said Riddell; "he's captain of the eleven; I must. "

"Hurrah. Well, you'll have to turn up at the Big practices, of course, during the next three days. There's one at three this afternoon andanother at 6:30, and if you like to come down for an hour after firstschool I'll give you some balls at the nets. "

This was Tuesday. The Rockshire match was to come off on Saturday, andbetween now and then, as Riddell well knew, every spare moment he couldcall his own would have to be devoted to cricket. 

Personally, with the burden of the secret of young Wyndham's knife uponhim, he would have been glad enough of some excuse for avoiding thehonour even of a place in the first eleven. But there was no suchexcuse. On the contrary, his duty pointed clearly to his making thebest of the opportunity. As captain of the school, even a humble placein the first eleven would be an undoubted gain to his influence; whileto Welch's--demoralised Welch's--the knowledge that once more one oftheir number was "playing for the school" might be of real service. 

Till Saturday, at any rate, he must try to banish the hideous nightmarefrom his mind, and give himself up wholly to the calls of cricket. 

It is easier to resolve to give up one's mind to a pursuit than it is todo it, and for the first day or two Riddell found himself but ahalfhearted cricketer. However, as the eventful day drew near thingsgrew more serious, not to say critical. 

It was a nervous occasion for the captain the first time he presentedhimself at a Big practice, and he could not help feeling that the eyeswhich watched his performance were more than ordinarily critical, andmany of them less than ordinarily friendly. 

Still he managed not to disgrace himself, and on the next occasion, having partially recovered his presence of mind, he was able to dohimself even more justice. Every one had to admit that Riddell was along way off being a fine cricketer--he would have been the first toadmit it himself--but for all that, what with a quick eye, and muchperseverance, and sound judgment, he possessed more than one of thequalities which go to make up a useful member of any team. 

"He ought to do, " said Bloomfield to Game on the Friday evening afterthe last of the practices. "He stood up to Fairbairn's bowling not atall badly. "

"Shouldn't wonder, " said Game, whose prejudice was stronger than hisjudgment, "if Fairbairn bowled down easy to him on purpose; they'reawfully thick, you know. "

"But I didn't bowl down to him easy, " replied Bloomfield; "and he cut mefor two twice running. "

Game could not answer this argument, and was bound to admit a worse manmight have been put into the odd place. 

"It's a pity, though; they'll be so jolly cocky, all that set, there'llbe no enduring it. I only hope our fellows will do most of the scoringto-morrow, and not leave them a chance of saying they won the match forus. "

Bloomfield laughed. "Not much fear of that, " said he; "but if they did, I suppose you'd sooner beat Rockshire with their help than be thrashed?"

Game was not quite sure, and said nothing. 

One might have supposed that an occasion like the present, when thepicked eleven Willoughby was to play the picked eleven of Rockshire, that there would have been no place left for party rivalry, or anyfeeling but one of patriotic ardour for the victory of the old school. But so deeply was the disease of party spirit rooted in Willoughby thateven this match came to be looked on quite as much as a struggle betweenrival houses as between the school and an outside team. 

The discovery was made that the eleven consisted of five schoolhouseplayers, five Parrett's players, and one Welcher. More than that, theingenious noted the fact that the two best bowlers of the eleven wereBloomfield and Fairbairn, one from each house, who could also both fieldas wicket-keepers when not bowling. And the two second bowlers wereGame and Porter, also one from each house. This minute analysis mightdoubtless have been continued down to the cover-points. At any rate, itwas manifest the two houses were very evenly divided, both as regardedmerit and place, and it would therefore be easy to see which contributedmost to the service of the school. 

The Rockshire men arrived by the ten o'clock train, and were met asusual by the Willoughby omnibus at the station. As they alighted andproceeded to stroll in a long procession across the Big to their tent, they were regarded with much awe and curiosity by the small boysassembled to witness their advent, some of whom were quite at a loss tounderstand how boys like themselves could ever expect not to be beatenby great whiskered heroes like these. Even the young Welchers, who hadcontrived to be practising close to the line of march, felt awed intheir presence, and made a most hideous hash of the little exhibitionwith which they had intended to astonish their visitors. 

The self-confident ease of these Rockshire men was even a triflediscouraging for a few of the school heroes themselves, who looked onnervously as their rivals coolly went up and inspected the wickets andcriticised the pitch, and then proceeded, laughing among themselves, towards the pavilion. Things like this are more or less terrifying, andan old team that comes down to play a young one ought to be moreconsiderate. 

It was fortunate for the school team that all its members were not asshy and diffident as others, or the operation of tossing for innings andother matters of form would never have been got through. 

Mr Parrett, however, as an old 'Varsity blue, was as great a hero inthe sight of Rockshire as Rockshire was in the sight of Willoughby, andwith his aid the preliminaries were all arranged, and Willoughby wentout first to field. 

The Big was never so crowded with boys, masters, or the outside public, as it was on this bright June day. The exploits of the school at therecent election may have had something to do with the number oftownsfolk who flocked up to see the game, but apart from that theRockshire match was always one of the great events of the season. 

Last year, thanks to old Wyndham's prowess, the school had won; butbefore that, back almost to the days of the mythical Bouncer, the fateshad been the other way; and this year, good as the team was, no one hadthe hardihood to predict with any confidence a victory for the boys. 

Just as Riddell was leaving the tent to take his place in the field, young Wyndham came up and clapped him cheerily on the back. 

"Go in and win, I say, " he cried, gaily. "I back you, old man. "

It was the first time the two had met since Riddell's interview with Tomthe boat-boy, and the sight of his old friend's brother, and the soundof his voice just now, gave the captain a shock which for the momentalmost unmanned him. 

He turned pale as he looked at the boy, and thought of that knife. 

"Oh, I say, " said Wyndham, noticing his perturbation, "pull yourselftogether, old man; you'll get on all serene. I was funky the first timeI showed up for the second-eleven, you know, but it's all right now!"

"Now, Riddell!" cried Bloomfield, impatiently, from the wickets; and offthe captain hurried to his post, with a load of trouble at his heart, and feeling anything but a jubilant athlete. 

Wyndham, little dreaming what was passing through his patron's mind, settled himself cross-legged at the door of the scorer's tent, andthought of nothing for the next few hours but the match. 

The two Rockshire men, upon whom devolved the duty of "opening theball, " strolled slowly up to the wickets, and a minute later the matchhad begun. 

As usual, the first few overs were uneventful. The bowlers were tryingwhat the batsmen were made of, and the batsmen were trying what thebowlers were made of. Riddell was thankful for his part that no ballcame his way, and the spectators generally seemed to regard two maidenovers as a sort of necessary infliction at the opening of any big match. 

But when Bloomfield took the ball again it was evident things were togrow a little brisker. His first ball was very neatly patted towardssquare-leg for two, amid the cheers which always greet "the firstblood, " and his next ball slipped past the long-stop for a bye. Wyndhamand some other enthusiasts sighed, as if those three runs had settledthe fate of Willoughby. But his sigh was abruptly turned into a cheerwhen next moment the Rockshire man's wicket tumbled all of a heap, andone of the foe was out for three. 

Willoughby began to breathe again. When they had seen those twoportentous heroes go in, the prospect of their ever going out had seemedfearfully remote. But now, if one man was got rid of for only threeruns, why should not ten men go for only thirty? At which arithmeticaldiscovery the school immediately leapt from the depths of despondency tothe heights of confidence, and considered the match as good as wonbefore it was fairly begun. 

However, during the next half-hour they had time to seek the happy meanbetween the two extremes. The newcomer was a tough customer, and shouldcertainly have gone in first. For he was one of those aggravatingbatsmen who keep a steady bat at everything, who never aspire to a slog, never walk out to a slow, never step back to a yorker, are never toosoon for a lob, or too late for a shooter--in fact, who play the safeplodding game in the face of all temptation. 

The one comfort was, he did not make many runs. Still, this sort ofbusiness is demoralising for bowlers and slow for the field, and achange of bowlers was consequently decided upon after about half anhour's play, when the score was at twenty-one. 

Game and Porter were the two new hands, the latter being the first toofficiate with a very neat maiden over, loudly cheered from the schooltent. Game who followed, was not so fortunate. The Rockshire man whohad gone in first cut him hard for three on his second ball--the firsthard hit of the match. And this the steady man followed up with a quiettwo neatly placed between point and mid-off. Then came another ball, which the same player turned off sharply into the slips. 

It was a fairly difficult ball to field, but Riddell picked it upsmartly and returned it to the wickets in time to prevent a run beingmade. 

"Well fielded indeed, sir!" cried Wyndham's voice from the tent. Littlethought he how strangely those words of encouragement missed their mark. Riddell had just been forgetting his trouble and warming up to thegame, and now they came once more to remind him of that hated knife andTom the boat-boy's story. 

The next ball the Rockshire man also "slipped, " but this time, though itwas within easier reach, and for a first-rate fielder was even apossible catch, Riddell missed it, and two runs were made. "Look outthere!" cried Bloomfield severely. "Well tried, sir!" cried some one, sarcastically. "Well missed, sir!" cried some one else, with painfultruthfulness. Riddell saw the crisis. Another miss like that, a fewmore taunts like those, and he might as well retire from the field. 

Not for the first time in his life he pulled himself together with avehement effort and shook off every thought but the one duty thatclaimed him. 

And only just in time. 

The last ball of the over was played again into slip, this time verysmartly. The school shivered as they saw it whiz straight for the weakpoint. But they might have spared themselves their agitation, forRiddell had it--all but a catch--before the shiver was over, and hadreturned it to Fairbairn at the wickets promptly enough to make theRockshire man feel he had had a narrow escape of a run-out. 

"Fielded, sir!" said Bloomfield, as the players crossed over; and thiscommendation was more encouraging than all the shouts of the schoolhousepartisans. 

Porter's next over disposed of the first Rockshire man, amid greatschool rejoicing, which was only tempered by the reflection among theParretts that it was a wicket to the credit of the schoolhouse half ofthe eleven. 

Then followed a succession of short but smart innings, during which theRockshire score crawled up to seventy, despite of a further change ofbowlers and very careful all-round fielding by the school. 

All this time the steady man hung on obstinately; nothing seemed topuzzle him or tempt him out of his caution. 

At length, in sheer desperation, Coates was put on to bowl; anythingseemed better than this hopeless deadlock. And so it turned out. Coates's first ball came down temptingly towards the off stump. Anyenterprising player would have cut it for a safe four, but this cautioushand, who seemed to smell a rat in everything, was evidently determinednot to be taken in by first appearances, and turned it off, halfcontemptuously, to his favourite quarter among the slips, thinkingpossibly he might punish the next rather more freely. But the next wasnot to come for him. Coates's ball was rising a bit as the batsmantouched it, and though he did not hit it up, it yet spun a foot or soabove the ground, an easy catch, straight into Riddell's hand, who heldit fast, much to his own surprise, and greatly to the jubilation of allWilloughby. 

"Well caught, sir! Caught, indeed! Played up, Riddell!" were the crieswhich on all hands greeted the achievement, Wyndham's call being longestand loudest of them all. 

But this time Riddell suffered no harm from the sound of that familiarvoice. He had steeled himself against it for a few hours at least, andit was to him but one out of many. 

Rockshire's first innings terminated shortly with no further event ofnote. The last wicket fell for ninety-two, a respectable total, ofwhich fifty-nine had been made off the Parretts' batsmen, and thirty-three off the schoolhouse. Indeed, the advantage of the schoolhouse didnot end there. Out of three catches--not counting Riddell's--they hadmade two, while of the five wickets which had been taken by the bowling, they claimed three against their rivals' two. 

Great was the dismay of Parrett's as these results were made known. They buoyed themselves up greatly, however, with the prospect of thebatting, where it would be strange indeed if they did not score betterthan the schoolhouse. And after all, it is the runs that win a match. 

Bloomfield himself, be it said to his credit, allowed no pettyconsiderations of party rivalry to influence him in sending in the bestmen at the right time. However much in some ways he might lend himselfto the whims of his more energetic comrades, in a matter like theRockshire match, where he was in sole command, and responsible for theglory of the school, he acted with the sole object of winning the match. 

It would have been easy to send in Fairbairn and Porter last, when theywould have no chance of scoring; or Coates, who was a rash hitter, andnever was safe until the back of the bowling had been somewhat broken, might have been sent in first. 

But such an arrangement Bloomfield knew would be fatal for the chancesof the school, and it therefore never entered his head to contrive it. And his fairness in this respect was fully justified, for the school puttogether a hundred and twelve runs--just twenty more than theiropponents--a performance which not even the most sanguine Willoughbitehad dared to anticipate. Towards this total Riddell, who had gone inlast and carried his bat, had contributed seven, not a little to his ownsurprise and the delight of the onlooking Welchers. But the mostremarkable thing about the innings was that, contrary to allcalculation, the five schoolhouse fellows had contributed no less thansixty-four runs to the total, while the Parretts' united score onlyamounted to forty-one. 

The second innings of Rockshire differed very little from the first. The steady man went in first, and bothered every bowler the school couldbring against him; and, having had one lesson, he took good care not togive himself another, and rather avoided slip for the future. So thatRiddell had a quiet time of it, fielding the few balls that came to himsteadily and promptly, but otherwise not figuring prominently in thedownfall of any wicket. 

It was half-past four before Rockshire finally retired with a total fortheir second innings of ninety-nine, leaving the school boys with eightyruns to obtain to win. 

It was not a formidable total after their first-innings performance, butat the outset a calamity happened enough to depress the hopes of anyWilloughbite. 

Bloomfield had gone in first with every intention of breaking the iceeffectually for his side. What, therefore, was the consternation ofeverybody when, after neatly blocking the first ball, he was cleanbowled for a duck's-egg by the second! Willoughby literally howled withdisappointment, and gave itself up to despair as it saw its captain andchampion retreating slowly back to the tent, trailing his bat behindhim, and not daring to look up at the hideous "0" on the telegraphboard. 

But hope was at hand, though Parrett's was not to supply it. Coates andCrossfield, who were now together, made a most unexpected and stubbornstand. They even scored freely, and the longer they held together theharder it was to part them. The reviving hopes of the Rockshirepartisans gradually died out before this awkward combination, and Gameand Ashley and Tipper, as they sat and watched this spirited performanceby the two schoolhouse boys, felt their triumph for the school utterlyswamped in the still more signal victory which the despised house wasachieving over them. 

The score, amid terrific cheering, went up to fifty-two before aseparation could be effected. Then Coates was caught at long-leg, andretired, covered with glory, in favour of Tipper. 

Alas for Parrett's! Tipper, in whom their forlorn hopes rested, was runout during his first over, while attempting to snatch a bye!

It was an anxious moment while Bloomfield was deciding whom next to sendin. There was still thirty runs to make, but unless he took care thewhole innings might be muddled away in the getting of them. 

"You go in, Fairbairn, " said the captain. 

The Parretts felt their fate to be sealed hopelessly. Had Game beensent in he might still have done something for Parrett's, but now hischance might never come. 

It did not come. Fairbairn joined Crossfield, and the two did just whatthey liked with the bowling. As the score shot up from fifty to sixtyand from sixty to seventy, the school became perfectly hoarse withcheering. Even most of the partisans of Parrett's, sorely as the matchwas going against them, could not help joining in the applause now thatthe prospect of the school winning by seven wickets had become aprobability. 

Up went the score--another three for Fairbairn--another two forCrossfield--seventy-five--then next moment a terrific cheer greeted afour by Fairbairn, which brought the numbers equal; and before thefigures were well registered another drive settled the question, andWilloughby had beaten Rockshire by seven wickets!

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

"AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER?"

The evening of the Rockshire match was one of strangely conflictingemotions in Willoughby. 

In the schoolhouse the jubilation was beyond bounds, and the victory ofthe school was swallowed up in the glorious exploits of the fiveschoolhouse heroes, who had, so their admirers declared, as good as wonthe match among them, and had vindicated themselves from the reproach ofdegeneracy, and once for all wiped away the hateful stigma of the boat-race. The night was spent till bedtime in one prolonged cheer in honourof their heroes, who were glad enough to hide anywhere to escape themobbing they came in for whenever they showed their faces. 

In Parrett's house the festivities were of a far more subdued order. AsWilloughbites they were, of course, bound to rejoice in the victory ofthe old school. But at what cost did they do it? For had not that veryvictory meant also the overthrow of their reign in Willoughby. Noreasoning or excusing could do away with the fact that after all theirboasting, and all their assumed superiority, they had taken considerablyless than half the wickets, secured considerably less than a third ofthe catches, and scored considerably less than a quarter of the runs bywhich the match had been won. Their captain had been bowled for aduck's-egg. Their best bowlers had been knocked about by the verybatsmen whom the schoolhouse bowlers had dispatched with ease. 

It was vain to attempt to account for it, to assert that the schoolhousehad had the best of the luck: that the light had favoured them; or thatjust when they happened to bowl the Rockshire men had got careless. Even such stick-at-nothing enthusiasts as Parson, Bosher, and Co. , couldn't make a case of it, and were forced to admit with deepmortification that the glory had departed from Parrett's, at any ratefor a season. 

Perhaps the most patriotic rejoicings that evening were in Welch'shouse. They cared but little about the rivalry between Parrett's, andthe schoolhouse, and were therefore free to exult as Willoughbites pureand simple, bestowing, of course, a special cheer on their own man, Riddell, who, though not having performed prodigies, had yet done honestwork for his eleven, and at any rate made one smart catch. 

"I tell you what, " said Fairbairn, who along with Coates and Porter hadescaped from the violent applause of the schoolhouse and sought refugethat evening in the captain's study--"I tell you what, I'm gettingperfectly sick of this everlasting schoolhouse against Parrettbusiness. "

"So am I, " said Porter. "As if they need go into the sulks because ourfellows did better than they did!"

"They've brought it on themselves, anyhow, " said Coates, "and it may dothem good to have to sing small for once. "

"I'm afraid if it had been the other way our fellows would have beenjust as much cut up as theirs are, " said Fairbairn. "Upon my word Ihalf envy you, Riddell, old man, being a Welcher. "

Riddell smiled. 

"Our fellows certainly consider themselves free to abuse or cheer allround, without the least partiality. Listen to them now. "

And certainly the hubbub that was going on was a trifle outrageous, evenfor Welchers. 

Indeed it was so outrageous that Riddell was obliged to ask his visitorsto excuse him for a moment while he went and quieted them. 

As he opened the door of the preparation-room, where the house wasassembled, a louder cheer than ever arose in his honour; and then thosewho waited in the study heard a general lull in the noise, whichcontinued in subdued animation after he had left the scene and returnedto his friends. 

This casual illustration of the captain's influence in his new house wasquite a revelation to the three schoolhouse monitors. 

"Why, what do you do to them to shut them up like that?" asked Coates, with something like envy in his tones. "It takes half an hour's bawlingto stop a row like that in our house, and a licking or two into thebargain; doesn't it, you fellows?"

Riddell laughed. 

"They are cricket-mad at present, " said he, "and I suppose they'reafraid of having their match against Parrett's stopped. "

It was a modest way, no doubt, of accounting for their obedience to hisauthority; but whatever the reason might be, it was certain the captainhad no further occasion to interfere that evening. 

"There's one comfort about this match, " said Fairbairn, after a pause, "we probably shall not hear any more of that wretched boat-race now. "

Whatever induced him to start this most unfortunate topic at this timeof all others?

Riddell, who amid all the excitement of the match had contrivedpartially to forget the burden that lay on his spirit, starteduncomfortably at the words, and his face changed to one of undisguisedtrouble. The others could hardly help noticing it. 

"No, we're never likely to get at the bottom of it, " said Porter; "sothe sooner it drops the better. "

"It's very odd, all the same, " said Fairbairn, "that there's not been asingle hint as to who did it. I wonder if, perhaps, we were wrong intaking for granted it was more than an accident. "

This last question was addressed to Riddell, who replied, nervously anduneasily, "No, that is, yes. It can't have been. I'm sure it wasn't anaccident. "

His three friends looked perplexed by his sudden confusion and change ofmanner, and Porter had the presence of mind to change the subject. 

"I hear there's a jolly row on between Silk and Gilks, " said he. "Noone knows exactly why. "

"I heard it was a bet, " said Coates. 

"At any rate they've had a split, " said Porter. 

"They never did much good while they were in partnership, " said Coates. "Young Wyndham got rather drawn in by them, I heard. "

"Rather!" said Fairbairn. "He was precious near going to the dogsaltogether if old Riddell here hadn't pulled him up. "

Riddell seemed to lack spirit to join in the conversation, whichcontinued without him. 

"Yes, the young 'un cuts them dead now, " said Porter, "but he's a bitafraid of them still, I fancy. "

"I suppose they could let out upon him about some scrape or other, " saidCoates, "and that's what gives them a pull. "

"Anyhow, it's a good job he has pulled up, " said Fairbairn, "for he'snot a bad youngster. He's got into the second-eleven just lately, andis tremendously proud of it. He's vowed he'll get old Wyndham to comedown and umpire in the match with Templeton second-eleven next month. "

All this talk was anything but pleasant for poor Riddell. Little didthe speakers dream of the connection between the boat-race and youngWyndham; in fact, the latter topic, as he knew quite well, had beenstarted on purpose to get over the awkwardness which his own confusionabout the former had caused. 

But to Riddell, with that knife burning in his pocket, it was all oneprolonged torture, so that he was heartily glad when at length hisfriends rose to depart. 

He excused himself from walking across the quadrangle with them, andsaid good-night in a spiritless way, very different from the cheerymanner in which he had welcomed them an hour ago. 

"I never saw such a rum fellow as Riddell, " said Coates, as the threestrolled over. "Did you see how cut up he got when something was saidabout the boat-race?"

"He's a little cracked on that subject, " said Fairbairn. "I do believe, until the culprit is found out, he considers himself responsible for thewhole affair. "

"Well, to judge by his looks he might have been the culprit himself, "said Porter, laughing. "Hullo, here's young Wyndham. "

"Where are you off to?" asked Fairbairn, with due monitorial solemnity, of that flighty youth; "don't you know it's nearly eight?"

"Oh, do you mind my going across to Riddell's?" asked the boy; "he'llthink I've cut him if I don't show up. I've not been to his room forhalf a week. "

"It's a curious thing he has survived it so long, " said Fairbairn, laughing. "Mind you are back by 8:30, though, for I'll have lock-uppunctual to-night, while there's so much row going on. "

"Thanks, Fairbairn, " said Wyndham. "I say, what a stunning score ourhouse knocked up in the second innings. Why, we--"

"Cut off, " cried Fairbairn, "and tell Riddell all about it. Come on, you fellows. "

Wyndham hurried on full of the prospect of a talk over the match withRiddell. 

Just at the door of Welch's, however, he met Silk. 

The two had scarcely met since the day of the election, when Wyndham, tospite Riddell, had joined himself to this bad friend, and yielded to hispersuasion to go down, against leave, to Shellport. 

"Oh, young 'un, " said Silk, in friendly tones, "you turned up? I'dalmost given you up for good. "

"I'm going to Riddell's, " said Wyndham, determined for once to stand byhis colours and have nothing more to do with this tempter. 

Silk's face fell, as it always did when Riddell's name was mentioned. He had imagined the boy was coming to see him, and it did not please himto find himself mistaken. 

"Are you?" said he. "Come along to my study first, though; I want tospeak to you. "

"I can't come, thank you, " said Wyndham. 

"Can't! Why ever not?" exclaimed Silk. 

"I don't want to come, that's why, " said Wyndham, doggedly, andattempting to move past. 

But this by no means suited Silk. 

"Suppose I tell you you _must_ come, " demanded he, stepping in front ofthe boy with a menacing air. 

"Please let me go by, " repeated Wyndham, making another attempt. 

"Not till you tell me what you mean by saying you won't do as I tellyou. "

"I mean that I'm not going to your study, " said young Wyndham. 

"Oh, very well, " said Silk, standing back to let him pass. 

There was something in his tone and manner as he said the words whichmade Wyndham uneasy. He had made up his mind at all costs he wouldbreak with Silk; yet now he could not help remembering he was at thefellow's mercy. 

So, instead of going on, he stood where he was, and said, rather lessdefiantly, "Can't you say what you've got to say here?"

"Oh, of course. I can easily tell the whole school of your--"

"Oh, hush, please!" cried the boy in alarm; "you promised you wouldn'ttell any one. I'll come to your study. "

Silk, with a triumphant sneer, turned and led the way, followed by hischafing victim, who devoutly wished he had never thought of coming tosee Riddell at all. 

When they were in the study, Silk turned and said, "All I want to sayis, that, I don't choose for you to be going such a lot to Riddell. Idon't like him, and you'd better keep away. "

"Why?" faltered Wyndham. "It doesn't do you any harm. "

"How do I know you don't blab all my secrets to him, eh?"

"Oh, I wouldn't do it for anything. I promised you and Gilks. "

"Bah! what's the use of that? You go and tell him everything you doyourself, and of course he knows it means us as well as you. "

"No, he doesn't--really. I've never said a word to him about--aboutBeamish's. "

"It's a good job you haven't; and you'd better not, I can tell you. "

"I won't, " said the boy. 

"I don't choose to have my concerns talked about to anybody, " said Silk, "I suppose it was he put you up to cutting me. "

"No--that is, " said Wyndham, "yes, he did advise me not to be so muchwith Gilks and you. "

"He did?" exclaimed Silk, in a rage. "I thought so; and you--"

Fortunately at this moment Tucker and one or two other of the noisyWelchers broke into the room; and in the diversion so created Wyndhamwas thankful to slip away. 

This, then, was the end of his good resolutions and the hopes they hadfostered! He was as much in the power of this bad friend as ever--nay, more, for had he not that very evening been forced to renew the onepromise which kept him from confiding everything to Riddell?

He proceeded dejectedly to the captain's study, his cricket enthusiasmstrangely damped, and the load of his old short-comings heavy upon him. 

Riddell, who was pacing the room moodily, stopped in a half-startled wayas his visitor entered. 

"Do you want me?" he said. 

"No, " said Wyndham. "I only just came across to see you, because Ithought you'd wonder what had become of me. "

"Yes, " said Riddell, trying to compose himself, "with all this cricketpractice there's not been much chance of seeing one another. "

"No, " replied Wyndham, whom the very mention of cricket was enough toexcite. "I say, wasn't it an awfully fine licking we gave them? Ourfellows are crowing like anything, and, you know, if it hadn't been foryour catch it might have been a much more narrow affair. "

"Ah, well! it's all over now, " said Riddell; "so I suppose you'll comeand see me oftener?"

"I hope so. Of course, there's the second-eleven practices still goingon for the Templeton match, but I'll turn up here all the same. "

Riddell took a turn or two in silence. What was he to do? A word fromhim, he felt, could ruin this boy before all Willoughby, and possiblydisgrace him for life. 

He, Riddell, as captain of the school, seemed to have a clear duty inthe matter. Had the culprit been any _one else_--had it been Silk, forinstance, or Gilks--would he have hung back? He knew he would not, painful as the task would be. The honour of the school was in question, and he had no right to palter with that. 

Yet how could he deal thus with young Wyndham?--his friend's brother, the fellow he cared for most in Willoughby, over whose struggles he hadwatched so anxiously, and for whom, now, better resolves and honestambitions were opening up so cheery a prospect. How could he do it?

Was there no chance that after all he might be mistaken? Alas! thatcruel knife and the memory of that evening crushed out the hope. Whatcould he do? To do nothing would be simply adding his own crime to thatof another. If only the boy would confess voluntarily! Could that havepossibly been the object which brought him there that evening? The lasttime they had talked together, even in the midst of his contrition, hehad been strangely reserved about something in the past. Might not thisbe the very secret he had now come to confide?

"How have you been getting on the last week?" he asked, gravely. "Haveyou been able to keep pretty straight?"

"Yes, I hope so, " said Wyndham. "You see, this cricket doesn't give afellow much chance of going wrong. "

"No; but of course one needs to do more than merely not go wrong, " saidthe captain. 

"What do you mean?"

"I suppose when any of us _has_ done wrong we ought to try to make upfor it somehow. "

"Oh, yes, of course, " said Wyndham, feeling a little uncomfortable. "The worst of it is, you can't always do that except by keeping right infuture. "

"Supposing you had owed some fellow a sovereign last term, you wouldconsider that all you had to do was not to owe him any more this term?"said Riddell. 

"No; of course not! I'd have to pay him, I know, " said Wyndham. 

"Well, what I mean, " said the captain, "is that--that--why, the fact is, Wyndham, " said he, "I'm afraid you have still some old scores you oughtto clear up. "

Wyndham looked hard at the captain, and coloured. 

"I see what you mean, " he said, in a low voice. "I know you're right. I wish I could do it. "

"You wish!" exclaimed Riddell. "Wishing will not do it. "

Wyndham looked hard at him once more, and answered, in agitated tones. 

"I say, Riddell. Do you know about it, then?"

"I think I do. "

At that moment a bell began to sound across the quadrangle. 

"That's lock-up; I must go!" exclaimed Wyndham, wildly. "For goodness'sake, don't tell any one, Riddell! Oh what a fool I have been!"

And next moment he was gone. 

Riddell continued to pace the room, half stupefied with bewilderment andmisery. 

"For goodness' sake, don't tell any one!" The cry rang in his ears tillit drove him nearly mad. 

Poor Wyndham! What must his state of mind be? What must it have beenall this time, with that miserable secret lurking there and poisoninghis whole life? And yet the chance had been given him, and he had clungto the secret still, and in the face of discovery had no other cry thanthis, "For goodness' sake, don't tell any one!"

That evening, so jubilant all over Willoughby, was one of the mostwretched Riddell ever spent. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

AN EXPLOSION OF "SKYROCKETS. "

Parson, Bosher, King, and the other Parrett's juniors were in badspirits. It was not so much the Rockshire match that was preying on thebrotherhood, grievous as that blow had been. Nor were they at thepresent suffering under any particular infliction, or smarting under anyspecial sense of injustice. Their healths and digestions were alltolerably good, and the mutual friendship in which they had been wont torejoice showed no signs of immediate dissolution. 

The fact was, they didn't know exactly what was the matter withthemselves. They could not pretend that it was remorse for the littleamount of work they had done during the term, for they stoutly deniedthat they had done little. On the contrary, they insisted that theywere being crammed to a shameful extent. 

Nor was their conscience reproaching them for their past transgressions. Of course, they could not help admitting that they had occasionally gotinto rows lately, but, as every one knew, it was never _their_ fault. It had always been owing to some accident or piece of bad luck, and itwas quite enough to get punished for it, without being expected toreproach themselves for it. 

No. When they came to think of it they didn't see that they hadanything to reproach themselves with. On the whole, they were more tobe pitied than blamed. They invariably meant well, but they never gotany credit for their good intentions, while they were everlastinglygetting into trouble on account of their ill-luck!

The fact of the matter was, these virtuous young gentlemen weresuffering from that most painful of maladies--dulness. 

They had nothing to do--that is, they had nothing to do but work andplay cricket. The latter was all very well, but even cricket, when itmeans three practices a day presided over by a strict senior, gets to bea little wearisome. 

As for the work--they groaned as they thought of it. It hadn't been sobad at the beginning of the term, when Bosher's crib to the Caesar andWakefield's key to Colenso's arithmetic had lent them their genial aid. But ever since Mr Parrett, in the vindictiveness of his heart, hadsuddenly started Eutropius in the place of Caesar, and Todhunter in theplace of Colenso, life had barely been worth living. 

It was this last grievance which was the special topic of discussion atan informal tea-party held, about a week after the Rockshire match, inParson's study. 

The company solaced their wounded feelings with unlimited bloater-pasteand red-currant jam, and under the soothing influence of thesecondiments, aided by the watery contents of Parson's teapot, theirsorrows found relief in words. 

"I bet anything he pitched on Eutropius, " said Parson, with his cup tohis lips, "because he knows nobody ever wrote a crib to him. "

"I don't suppose any one could make him out enough, " said King. "It'sawful rot. "

"Yes, and Ashley says it's awfully bad Latin. "

Parson laughed satirically. 

"Jolly lot they care what sort of Latin it is as long as they can do usover it. "

"I believe, " said Bosher, "Gilks has a key to Todhunter. "

"He has? Young Telson had better collar it, then, " said King, whoseopinions on the laws of property as regarded cribs were lax. 

"Bah! What's the use of bothering?" cried Parson, pouring himself outhis eighth cup of tea. "If he pulls me up for not doing the beastlythings I shall tell him they're too hard, straight out. "

"Tell him it's jolly gross conduct, " cried a voice at the door, followedimmediately by Telson, who, contrary to all rules, had slipped across topay a friendly visit. 

He was welcomed with the usual rejoicing, and duly installed at thefestive board. 

"It's all right if I am caught, " said he. "Gilks sent me a message toWibberly, and I just dropped in here on the way. I say, who's going tolick, you or Welch's?"

"Welch's!" exclaimed the company, in general contempt. "It's like theircheek to challenge us. We mean to give them a lesson. "

"Mind you do, " said Telson, "or it'll be jolly rough on Parrett's. Noend of a poor show you made at the Rockshire. "

"Look here, Telson, " said Parson, gravely, "suppose we don't talk aboutthat. We were just wondering if Gilks had got a key to Todhuntersomewhere. "

Telson laughed. 

"Wonder if he hadn't! He's got more cribs than school books, I think. "

"I say, " said King, most persuasively, "could you collar it, do youthink, old man!"

"Eh? No, " said Telson; "I draw the line at that sort of thing, youknow. "

"Well, then, " said King, evidently in a state of desperate mentalagitation, "could you ever find out the answer for Number 13 in Exercise8, and let me know it in the morning? I'd be awfully obliged. "

Telson said he would see, whereat King was most profuse in hisgratitude, and Telson received several other commissions of a similarnature. 

These little matters of business being satisfactorily settled, thecompany proceeded to the discussion of more general topics. 

"Fearful slow term this, " said Parson, with a yawn. 

"Yes, " said Telson, spreading a piece of bread with about a quarter-of-an-inch layer of jam; "we're somehow done out of everything this term. "

"Yes. We can't go out on the river; we can't go into town; we can't goand have a lark in Welch's; you can't come over to see us--"

"No; that's a howling shame!" said Telson. 

"We can't do anything, in fact, " continued Parson (now at cup Number 9). "Why, we haven't had a spree for weeks. "

"You seemed to think my diary was a spree, " said Bosher, meekly. 

There was a general laugh at this. 

"By the way, have you got it here?"

"No fear! I'll take good care you don't see it again, you cads!"

"Eh? By the way, that reminds me we never paid Bosher out for being aRadical, you fellows, " said Parson. 

"Oh, no--oh, yes, you did!" cried Bosher. "I apologise, you fellows. I'll let you see the diary, you know, some day. Really, I'm not aRadical. "

Fortunately for Bosher, the political excitement at Willoughby had quiteworn away, so that no one now felt it his duty to execute the sentenceof the law upon him and, after being made to apologise on his knees toeach of the company in turn, he was solemnly let off. 

"You see, " said Parson, returning to the point, "we've been up beforeParrett twice this term; that's the mischief. We might have chanced aspree of some sort, only if we get pulled up again he may expel us. "

There was some force in this argument, and it was generally agreed itwould be better for Willoughby that the risk of a calamity like thisshould not be incurred. 

"Fact is, " said Telson, cutting another slice of bread, "Willoughby'sgoing to the dogs as hard as it can. The seniors in our house are downon you if you do anything. I even got pulled up the other day forhaving a duel with young Payne with elastics. Awful spree it was! Wegave one another six yards, and six shots each. I got on to his facefour times, and once on his ear, and he only hit me twice. One of minewas right in his eye, and there was a shindy made, and I got sixty linesfrom Fairbairn. "

"What a frightful shame!" cried the company. "Yes, " said King; "andit's just as bad here. The new monitors pull you up for everything. You can't even chuck boots about in the passage but they are down onyou. It was bad enough when Game and that lot were monitors, but eversince they've been turned out and the new chaps stuck in it's worse. "

"And they say it's just as bad in Welch's, " said Wakefield. "You know, "said Parson, profoundly, pouring himself out a fresh cup--"you know, ifRiddell and Bloomfield ever took it into their heads to pull together, we'd have an awful time of it. "

The bare possibility of such a calamity was enough to sober even thewildest spirit present. 

"These seniors are a nuisance, " said Telson, after a pause; "and theworst of it is, we can't well pay them out. "

"Not in school, or in the Big either, " said King. "We might sticknettles in their beds, you know, " suggested Bosher, "or something ofthat sort. "

"Rather low, that, " said Parson, "and not much fun. "

"Would leeches be better?" said Bosher, who had lately been givinghimself to scientific investigation. 

It was considered leeches might not be bad, but there was rather toomuch uncertainty about their mode of action. That was a sort of thingmore in Cusack's and the Welchers' line than the present company's. 

"I tell you what, " said Telson, struck with an idea, "we might get atthem in Parliament; they're always so jolly fond of talking about fairplay there, and every one being equal. Do you know, I think we mighthave a little fling there!"

"Not at all a bad idea, " said Parson, admiringly--"jolly fine idea! Wecan do what those cads do in the newspapers--obstruct the business!Rattling idea!"

"Yes; and fancy Messrs. Telson, Parson, Bosher, and Co. Beingsuspended, " said King. 

"They couldn't do it, I tell you, " said Bosher; "we'd kick up a shineabout freedom of speech, and all that. Anyhow, it would be rather aspree, whether we were kicked out or not. We'd be a `party' you know!"

The idea took, and an animated consultation took place. Parson, for ajunior, was very well up in the "rules of the House, " and at hissuggestion the notice-paper for to-morrow's assembly was got hold of andfilled with "amendments. "

"Call them amendments, " said he, "and they can't say anything. "

"Oh, all serene, " said Telson, who had implicit confidence in hisfriend. 

"For instance, here you are, " said Parson. "`Mr Coates to move thatClassics is a nobler study than Mathematics. ' Amendment proposed:`Instead of "nobler" say "viler. "' Proposed by Bosher, furtheramendment: `Instead of "nobler" say "beastlier. "' Proposed byTelson--(`Hear, hear, ' from Telson)--further amendment: `Instead of"nobler" say "more idiotic. "' You see it can easily be worked, and whenwe've done with `nobler' we can start on the `is' and amend it to `are, 'do you twig? There'll have to be a division over each. I say it'll bean awful lark!"

Little dreaming of the delightful treat in store for it, Willoughbyassembled next afternoon, expecting nothing better than a dull debate onthe well-worn question of classics _versus_ mathematics. They weredestined to experience more than one surprise before the meeting wasover. 

Riddell, who had spent a dismal day, not knowing what to do or think, and vainly hoping that Wyndham might by his own free confession solvethe bitter problem, came to the meeting. It was the least wretchedthing he could do. Anything was better than sitting alone and broodingover his secret. 

For the first time he received a cheer as he entered and took hisaccustomed place. Willoughby was grateful to him for that catch in theRockshire match. How, at any other time, the captain would haverejoiced over that cheer! But now he hardly heard it. 

All the other heroes of the match received a similar ovation inproportion to the service they had done, and when, just at the lastmoment, Fairbairn, Coates, and Crossfield came in together, the "House"rose at them and cheered tremendously. 

The business was preceded by the usual questions, none of which, however, were very important. After the captain's performance lastweek, and perhaps still more after his speech in the House a week or twoago, honourable men had shown themselves less active in "baiting" himand asking him offensive questions, and on this occasion he was onlyinterrogated once, and that was by Cusack, who wanted to know whetherthey were not going to get a whole holiday in honour of the Rockshirematch? The captain replied that he had heard nothing about it. 

Bosher was put up to ask Bloomfield whether he considered Eutropius fitreading for young boys? Loud cheers from all the small boys in questiongreeted the inquiry, in the midst of which Bloomfield cunningly repliedthat the honourable member had better give notice of the question fornext time. 

Then rose Telson, with all the dignity of office, and solemnly inquiredof Mr Stutter, the Premier, whether he was aware that a new party hadlately been formed in the House, consisting of Messrs. Telson, Parson, Bosher, King, and Wakefield, called the "Skyrockets, " whose object wasto look after the interests of the juniors all over the school, and whowould be glad to receive fresh members at one shilling a head?

Stutter, who was scarcely heard in the uproar which followed thissensational announcement, meekly replied that he had not heard a wordabout it, an answer which, for some reason or other, provoked almost asmuch laughter as the question. 

"All very well for them to grin, " growled Telson, who had expected asomewhat different reception to his important question: "wait till westart on the amendments. "

The opportunity soon arrived. Coates being called upon to open thedebate, let off the speech he had prepared, and if he did not convincethe House that classics was a nobler study than mathematics, he at leastshowed that he had convinced himself. 

The "Skyrockets" had barely the patience to hear him out, and the momenthe had done, Parson started to his feet, and shouted, "Mr Chairman andgentlemen, I beg to move an amendment--"

Here Bloomfield, whom the sight of the notice-paper had prepared forwhat was coming, interposed, "When I am ready for the honourable memberI will call on him. The motion is not yet seconded. "

"No, no! That won't wash, will it, you fellows?" cried Parson, excitedly, planting himself firmly in his place, and evidently seeingthrough the deep designs of the enemy. "Bother seconding! I mean tomove my amendment, if I stick here all night! (Terrific Skyrocketcheers. ) We kids have been snubbed long enough, and we're going to makea stand!" ("Question, " "Order. ") "All very well for you to sing out`Order'--"

The Chairman:

"Will the honourable member--"

"No, he won't!" screamed Parson, with the steam well up; "and he's notgoing to! I've got a right to be heard--we've all got a right to beheard, and we're going to be heard, what's more! (Tremendous cheersfrom the club. ) We're all equal here, aren't we, you chaps?"("Rather!")

Here Fairbairn rose to order, but Parson was too quick for him. 

"No, no!" he cried, "we don't want any of your jaw! We're not going tobe shut up by you! We're a party, I tell you, and we're bound to stickout!" ("Hear, hear, " from Bosher. ) "We expected you'd be trying to siton us, but we made up our minds we won't be sat on! (Prolonged cheers. )I've not begun my speech yet--(laughter)--and I don't mean to till youhold your rows!"

Here there were loud cries of "Order" from various parts of the House, which, however, only served to inspirit the speaker, who proceeded atthe top of his voice, "It's no use your going on like that. (I say, youchaps, " added he, turning round to his companions, "back me up, I'mgetting husky. ) You think we're a lot of fools--"

("We're a lot of fools!" chimed in the chorus, by way of backing uptheir orator. )

"But we're not as green as we look!"

("Green as we look!")

"You all seem to think it funny!"

("Think it funny!")

"But you needn't think you'll shut _us_ up!"

("Shut us up!")

Here another attempt was made on the part of the chairman to reduce themeeting to order. Above the laughter and cheering and hooting he criedat the top of his voice, "Unless you stop your foolery, Parson, I'llhave you turned out!"

"Will you? Who's going to stop my foolery?" yelled Parson. 

("Stop my foolery?") howled the chorus. 

"Try it on, that's all! You don't think we funk you!"

("We funk you!")

"Do you suppose we don't know what we're doing?"

("We don't know what we're doing?")

"Look out, you fellows! Hold on!"

This last remark was caused by a rush upon the devoted band, with a viewto carry out the edict of the chairman. 

Parson went on with his oration till he was secured, hand and foot, andcarried forcibly to the door, and even then continued to address thehouse, struggling and kicking between every syllable. His backers, equally determined, clung on to the forms and desks, and continued toshout and scream and caterwaul till they were one by one ejected. 

Even then they maintained their noble stand for freedom of speech byhowling through the key-hole and kicking at the door, till finally aselect band of volunteers was dispatched "to clear the approaches to theHouse" and drive the Skyrockets to their own distant studies, where theyorganised a few brawls on their own account, and ended the afternoonvery hoarse, very tired, but by no means cast down. 

"Jolly spree, wasn't it?" said Parson, when it was all over, fanninghimself with a copybook and readjusting his collar. 

"Stunning!" said Telson; "never thought they'd stand it so long. No endof a speech, that of yours!"

"Yes, " said Parson, complacently; "most of it impromptu, too! Managedto spin it out, I fancy!"

"Rather, " said King, admiringly. "I began to make mine after you'd gotkicked out, but couldn't get out much of it. "

"Well, all I can say is it was a jolly lark. I feel quite hungry afterit, " said Telson. "Any of that jam left, old man?"

And so these heroes appropriately celebrated their glorious field-daywith a no less glorious banquet, which amply compensated for all thelittle inconveniences they had had to endure in the course of theafternoon's entertainment. 

Meanwhile, rather more serious work was going on in the Great Hall. 

The Skyrockets being ejected, the house proceeded in a somewhat humdrumfashion to discuss the relative merits of classics and mathematics. Several of the seniors and a few Limpets had prepared speeches, whichthey duly delivered. Contrary to the expectation of most present, Riddell took no part in the discussion. As head classic, a speech fromhim had been quite counted on; but not even the calls of the one side orthe taunts of the other could get him on to his feet. 

The fact was, he only half heard what was going on. His thoughts werefar away, busied with a far more serious inward debate than that on thenotice-paper. 

At length he could remain idle no longer. He must go and find outWyndham, or see the doctor, or pay another visit to Tom the boat-boy--anything rather than this suspense and misery and inaction. 

He took advantage of a more than ordinarily dreary speech from Tedburyto rise and make his retreat quietly from the room. 

But before he had reached the door Tedbury's voice abruptly ceased andWibberly's was heard saying, "Mr Chairman, I see Mr Riddell is leavingthe meeting. Will you allow me to ask him a question before he goes?"

There was something strange about this interruption, and also in themanner in which the question was asked, which drew the sudden attentionof the House, and all eyes were turned on the captain. 

He stopped and turned in his usual nervous, half-inquiring way, apparently not quite sure what had been said or who had spoken. 

"Mr Wibberly, " said Bloomfield, "wishes to ask a question of MrRiddell. "

"It is merely this, " said Wibberly, rapidly, and giving no time for anyobjection to be raised on the point of order. "I wish to ask MrRiddell whether he has found out yet who cut the rudder-line ofParrett's boat at the boat-race, or whether he suspects anybody, and, ifso, whom?"

At this unlooked-for question a hubbub immediately arose. Severalschoolhouse fellows protested against the proceedings being interruptedin this way, and even Bloomfield exclaimed across the table, "Forgoodness' sake, Wibberly, don't bring up that wretched subject again. "

But those who had watched Riddell had seen him turn suddenly pale at thequestion, and for a moment make as though he would rush from the room. But he stopped himself, and turned like a hunted deer on the questioner. 

A dead silence fell on the assembly, as Wibberly coolly said, "I willrepeat the questions. Has Mr Riddell found out who cut the rudder-lines? or does he suspect any one? and, if so, who is it?"

Every eye turned on Riddell. The brief pause had given him time tocollect himself and fight out the inward battle; and now he answeredsteadily, "I do suspect some one. But until I am perfectly sure I shallnot say who it is. "

So saying, he quietly left the room. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. 

EVERYTHING GONE WRONG. 

Riddell was fairly committed to his task now. Like the good old generalwho burned his ships when he landed on the enemy's shores, he had cutoff from himself the slightest possibility of a retreat, and must noweither go right through with the matter or confess himself a miserablefailure. 

The consciousness of this nerved him with unlooked-for courage, and hewalked from the Parliament that afternoon a very different being fromthe boy who had entered it. He had entered it cowed, irresolute, wretched; he left it indeed still wretched, but with his spirit rousedand his mind made up. His duty lay clear before him, and whatever itcost he must do it. 

Whether Wibberly was himself the writer of the mysterious letter, orwhether some one had prompted him to ask the question, or whether hisasking it just at this time was a mere coincidence, he did not troubleto decide. 

He felt rather grateful to him than otherwise for having asked it, justas one is occasionally grateful to the thunder-clap for clearing theair. 

The first thing without doubt was to find Wyndham, and come to a clearunderstanding as to whether or not he was the culprit; and the captainlost no time in attempting to put this resolve into practice. 

It would not do, he knew, immediately after the scene in the Parliament, when everybody would be on the tip-toe of curiosity, to be seen holdinga secret interview with any particular boy. He therefore decided wiselyto wait till the usual time when Wyndham was in the habit of coming tohis study to do his lessons. Meanwhile, to make sure of his coming, hesent him a message by Cusack to tell him to be sure and turn up. 

Cusack, little suspecting the importance of this simple message, delivered it glibly, and being of course brimful of the excitement ofthe hour, he remained a little to regale Wyndham with a history of theafternoon's events. 

"Oh, I say, " said he, "you weren't at Parliament this afternoon. Therewas no end of a shine on. "

"Was there?" asked Wyndham. 

"Rather. What do you think, those young Parrett's cads came down in abody and kicked up the biggest row you ever saw--said they were a club, and made no end of beasts of themselves, and got kicked out at last, andserve them right too. "

"They're always fooling about at something, " said Wyndham. 

"That they are. They want a good taking down, and we mean to do it nextweek in the junior house match. "

"Ah, " said Wyndham, who amid all his recent troubles could never forgetthat he was a second-eleven man. "Ah, I heard the juniors' match was tocome off. What day is it to be?"

"Thursday. "

"Oh, I must come and have a look at you. Is Welch's going to win?"

"Going to try, and I fancy we're pretty fair. They've been lazy, youknow, in Parrett's, and so we get a pull there. Oh, but I was savingthat row with the kids wasn't all this afternoon. Just at the end thatcad Wibberly got up and asked Riddell some more about the boat-race--they're always hammering away at that, and what do you think Riddellsaid--guess!"

"I can't, " said Wyndham. 

"Why he said he knew who the chap was who had cut the strings, orfancied he did!"

"Who is it?" exclaimed Wyndham, excitedly. 

"That's what he won't say. And of course there's an awful row on. Theysay they'll make him tell, or kick him out of the school or something. They're in no end of a rage. "

"Why doesn't he tell who it is?" asked Wyndham. 

"Oh, he says he's not sure, or something like that. But I dare sayhe'll tell you all about it this evening. You're to be sure and turnup, he says, at preparation time. "

And off went this vivacious messenger, leaving Wyndham in a considerablestate of astonishment and perturbation. 

What did Riddell want him for? He had not seen him since that evening, a week ago, when he had so nearly confessed to him about Beamish's. Hehardly liked not to go now, although he knew it would be hard to avoidletting out the wretched secret which he had promised Gilks and Silk tokeep. 

Besides, uneasy as he was about this, he could not help feeling excitedabout what Cusack had just told him of the boat-race affair. And mostlikely, when he came to consider, Riddell would be so full of that thathe might perhaps not say any more about Beamish's. So Wyndham decidedto go, and in due time presented himself with his books at the captain'sstudy. 

He could see at once that Riddell was in one of his serious moods, andhis heart sank, for he had no doubt what was coming, and felt that, unless he were to break his promise, matters were sure to be made worse. 

"I'm glad you've come, " said Riddell; "you went off so suddenly theother evening. "

"Yes, " said Wyndham; "the lock-up bell rang, and I was bound to be in myhouse before it stopped. "

"You know what I want to see you about now, Wyndham?" said the captain, nervously. 

"Yes, " replied the boy, doggedly; "I suppose I do. "

There was a long, uncomfortable pause, at the end of which Riddell said, "Surely, Wyndham, you are not going to leave it to me to clear up thismatter?"

"What do you mean?" asked the boy, burying his face in his hands, andutterly unnerved by the tones of his friend's voice. 

"I mean this, " said Riddell, as firmly as he could, "that there are onlytwo courses open. Either you must confess what you have done, of yourown accord, or it will be my duty to do it for you. "

"I don't see how it's your duty to tell everybody, " said the boy. "Ishould get expelled to a dead certainty!"

"It must either be one or the other, " said the captain. 

"Oh, Riddell!" exclaimed the boy, springing to his feet, "don't saythat! I know I've been a cad, and let myself be led into it; but surelyit's not so bad as all that! You've always been a brick to me, I know, and I've not been half grateful enough. But do let us off this time!please do! I can't tell you anything; I would gladly, only I'vepromised. You wouldn't have me break my promise? If you tell of me Ishall be expelled I know I shall! Do help me out this time!"

"Poor fellow!" said Riddell, who was not proof against this sort ofappeal from any one, least of all from one he loved. 

The boy was quick in the energy of his despair to follow up hisadvantage. 

"I'd make it good any other way--any way you like--but don't have meexpelled, Riddell. Think of them all at home, what a state they wouldbe in! I know I deserve it; but can't you get me out of it?"

"If you were to go to the doctor and tell him everything--" beganRiddell. 

"Oh, that's just what I can't do!" exclaimed Wyndham. "I'd do it like ashot if it was only myself in it. I don't know how you found it allout, I'm sure; but I can't go and tell the doctor, even if it was to getme off being expelled. "

It was no use going on like this. Riddell was getting unmanned everymoment, and Wyndham by these wild appeals was only prolonging the agony. 

"Wyndham, old fellow, " said the captain, in tones full of sympathy andpity, "if I had dreamt all this was to happen I would never have come toWilloughby at all. I know what troubles you have had this term, and howbravely you have been trying to turn over a new leaf. I'd give anythingto be able to help you out of this, but I tell you plainly I don't seehow to do it. If you like, I'll go with you to the doctor, and--"

"No, no!" exclaimed Wyndham, wildly, "I can't do that! I can't dothat!"

"Then, " said Riddell, gravely, "I must go to him by myself. "

Wyndham looked up and tried to speak, and then fairly broke down. 

"If the honour of the whole school were not involved--"

Wyndham looked up in a startled way. "The honour of the school? Whathas it got to do with my going to--"

What strange fatality was there about Riddell's study-door that italways opened at the most inopportune times?

Just as Wyndham began to speak it opened again, and Bloomfield, of allpersons, appeared. 

"I want to speak to you, Riddell, " he said. 

The words were uttered before he had noticed that the captain was notalone, or that his visitor was young Wyndham, in a state of greatdistress--hardly greater than that of Riddell himself. 

As soon as he did perceive it he drew back, and said, "I beg yourpardon; I didn't know any one was here. "

"I'll go, " said Wyndham, hurriedly, going to the door, and hardlylifting his eyes from the ground as he passed. 

Bloomfield could hardly help noticing his strange appearance, orwondering at it. 

"Anything wrong with young Wyndham?" said he, not sorry to have some wayof breaking the ice. 

"He's in trouble, " said the captain. "Won't you sit down?"

It was a very long time since the head of Parrett's and the captain ofthe school had met in this polite way. But Bloomfield for some timepast had shown signs of coming round to see that the position which hadbeen forced upon him, and which he had been very ready at first toaccept, was not a satisfactory one. And, greatly to the disgust of someof his fellow-monitors, he had shown this more than once by friendlyadvances towards his rival. But, so far, he had never got to the lengthof calling upon him in his study. 

Riddell was scarcely surprised to see him, although he was quiteunprepared for the very amicable way in which he began. 

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, " said Bloomfield, "but I've been intendingto come over the last day or two. "

"It's very good of you, " said Riddell. 

"The fact is, " said Bloomfield, a little nervously, "ever since thatdebate in Parliament some weeks ago, when you spoke about all pullingtogether, I've felt that our fellows haven't done as much as they oughtin that way--I know I haven't. "

Riddell did not exactly know what to say. He could not say that theParrett's fellows _had_ "pulled together" for the good of the school, sohe said nothing. 

"I'm getting rather sick of it, " continued Bloomfield, digging his handsin his pockets. 

"So am I, " said the captain. 

"You know, " said Bloomfield, "it was that wretched boat-race affairwhich made things as bad as they were. Our fellows wouldn't have keptit up so long if that hadn't happened. "

Riddell began to get more and more uneasy. He had expected this wascoming, and there was no escaping it. 

"It was an awfully ugly business, of course, " continued Bloomfield; "andthough no one suspected fellows like you and Fairbairn of such a thing, our fellows, you know, were pretty sure some one was at the bottom ofit. "

Riddell could not help thinking, in the midst of his uneasiness, howvery sagacious the Parrett's fellows had been to make the discovery!

"And now, " said Bloomfield, looking up, and feeling relieved to have hisspeech nearly done--"now that you've found out who it is, and it's allgoing to be cleared up, I think things ought to come all right. "

It was a painful situation for the captain of Willoughby. The bribewhich Bloomfield offered for his secret was what had been the wish ofhis heart the whole term. If he accepted it now there would be an endto all the wretched squabbles which had worked such mischief in theschool the last few months, and the one object of his ambition as headof the school would be realised. 

Surely, now, he could hold back no longer. His duty, his interest, thehonour of the school, all demanded his secret of him; whereas if he heldit back things would be worse than ever before. And yet he hesitated. 

That last wild half-finished exclamation of Wyndham's lingered in hismind and perplexed him. Suppose there should be some mistake? Withthat knife in his pocket, and the poor boy's whole conduct and demeanourto corroborate its story, he could scarcely hope it. But _suppose_there was a doubt, or even the shadow of a doubt, what right had he toaccuse him, or even to breathe his name?

"I hope it will be cleared up before long, " said he. "Why, you said youknew who it was!" said Bloomfield. "I said I suspected somebody. "

"Who is it?" asked Bloomfield. 

"I can't tell you, " replied Riddell. "I'm not sure; I may be wrong. "

"But surely you're not going to keep a thing like this to yourself!"exclaimed Bloomfield, warmly; "it concerns everybody in the school. I've a right, at any rate, as stroke of the Parrett's boat, to know whoit is. "

"Of course, you have; and if I was quite sure I was right I would tellyou. "

"But you can tell me whom you suspect, " said Bloomfield, who had notanticipated this difficulty. "No, I cannot, " replied the captain. "Inconfidence, at any rate, " said Bloomfield. "No, not till I am sure. Ireally cannot. "

Bloomfield's manner changed. This rebuff was not what he had expected. He had come here partly out of curiosity partly from a desire to befriendly, and partly owing to the eagerness of his companions to have anexplanation. He had never doubted but that he would succeed; nay, eventhat Riddell would be glad to meet him more than half-way. But now itseemed this was not to be, and Bloomfield lost his temper. 

"You mean to say, " said he, angrily, "you're going to keep it toyourself?"

"Yes, till I am sure. "

"Till you are sure! What are you going to do to make it sure, I'd liketo know?"

"Everything I can. "

"You know, I suppose, what everybody says about you and the wholeconcern?" said Bloomfield. 

"I can't help what they say, " said the captain. "They say that if youchose you could tell straight out like an honest man who it is. "

Riddell looked quickly up at the speaker, and Bloomfield felt halfashamed of the taunt directly it escaped his lips. 

"I say that's what the fellows think, " said he, "and it's in your owninterest to clear yourself. They think you are shielding some one. "

The captain's face changed colour rapidly, and Bloomfield was quickenough to see it. 

"It's hardly what fellows had been led to expect of you, " said he, witha touch of sarcasm in his voice. "Anyhow it knocks on the head any ideaof our pulling together as I had hoped. I certainly shall do nothingtowards it as long as this ugly business is going on. "

"Bloomfield, I've told you--" began Riddell. 

"You've told me a great deal, " said Bloomfield, "but you can't deny thatyou are sheltering the cad, whoever he is, under the pretext of notbeing quite sure. "

Riddell said nothing, and Bloomfield, seeing nothing could come of thisaltercation, left the room. 

At the door, however, a thought struck him. Could that agitated scenebetween Riddell and young Wyndham, which he had interrupted by hisarrival, have had anything to do with this mystery?

He recollected now what a state of distress both had been in; and, nowhe thought of it, surely he had heard Wyndham's voice saying somethingin tones of very eager appeal at the moment the door was open. BesidesWyndham had been very "down" for a week past. Bloomfield had noticed itat the cricket practices; and more than one fellow had spoken of it inhis hearing. He knew too how thick the boy was with the captain, andwith what almost brotherly concern Riddell watched over all hisinterests; every one in Willoughby knew it. 

Bloomfield was only a moderately clever youth, but he knew enough to puttwo and two together; and, as he stood there at the door, the state ofthe case flashed across his mind. He might get at the secret after all!

"You forget that other people can suspect besides you, Riddell, " hesaid, turning back. "Suppose I was to suspect that precious youngfriend of yours who stood blubbering here just now?"

It was well for the captain that his back was turned as Bloomfield saidthis, otherwise the least doubt as to the correctness of his guess wouldhave been instantly dispelled. 

The last strait in which Riddell found himself was worse than any thathad gone before. For he could not deny, and to say nothing would be thesame as assenting. The secret was out, and what could he do? The onlything seemed to be to appeal to Bloomfield's generosity, to explain allto him, and to implore him, for a day or two at least, to keep sacredthe confidence. 

And yet--it was the old question--suppose he were wrong, and supposeafter all Wyndham were not the culprit, what grievous wrong would he bedoing him by admitting even his suspicion! He composed himself with aneffort, and turning, replied, "Excuse me, Bloomfield, I've told you Ican say nothing at present, and it is really useless to say any moreabout it. "

Bloomfield departed, perplexed and angry. His anger was partly becausehe could not help feeling that Riddell was in the right; and hisperplexity was to know what to think of it all, and whether his guessabout young Wyndham was near the mark or not. 

"Well, " inquired Game, who with one or two of the most ardent Parrettswas eagerly waiting his return. "Have you got it out of him?"

"No, " said Bloomfield, "he won't tell me. "

"The cad!" exclaimed Game. "Why ever not?"

"He says he's not sure, that's why, " said Bloomfield; "but it's myprivate opinion he's shielding some one or other. "

"Of course he is, " said Ashley. "I shouldn't wonder if he's known whoit is all along. "

"Anyhow, " said Tipper, "he ought to be made to clear it up, or else payup for it. I know I'll cut him dead next time I see him. "

"So shall we, " replied one or two others. 

"He won't afflict himself much about that, " said Bloomfield; "if I weresure he didn't want to shirk it I'd be inclined to give him a day or twobefore doing anything. "

"What's the use? Of course he wants to shirk it, " said Game, "andthinks it will blow over if it goes long enough. I'll take preciousgood care it doesn't, though. "

"Upon my honour, " said Ashley, "I never expected Willoughby would _come_to this pass. It was bad enough to have a coward and a fool as captain, but it's rather too much when he turns out to be a cheat too!"

"And to think that he ever got stuck in the first eleven, " said Tipper. "I told you, Bloomfield, he'd be no credit to you. "

"He caught out that best man of theirs, " said Bloomfield. 

"Bah! I'd sooner have lost the match twice over, " exclaimed Game, "thanwin it with his help!"

And so these estimable young gentlemen, satisfied that they alone werethe glory and support of Willoughby, disposed in their own minds oftheir wicked captain, and thanked their lucky stars they were made ofnobler stuff and loftier principle. 

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. 

WYNDHAM MAKES A FINAL VENTURE. 

If any proof had been needed that young Wyndham was "down, " as theParrett's fellows termed it, the fact that he did not put in appearanceat the second-eleven practice next day supplied it. 

Bloomfield, who in ordinary course had strolled round to watch the play, noticed his absence, and drew his own conclusions from it. 

To Bloomfield's credit be it said that, whatever his own suspicions mayhave been, he had been as reluctant as Riddell himself, as long as anydoubt existed, to name Wyndham publicly as the culprit for whom allWilloughby was on the lookout. He had been very angry with Riddell forhis reserve, but when it came to the point of publishing his ownsuspicions or not, his better feeling prevented him, and led him to copythe captain's example. 

For Riddell's reply to the suggestion of Wyndham's name had neitherconfirmed or denied its correctness. He had merely declined to sayanything about the matter, so that as far as Bloomfield was concerned itwas no more than a guess, and that being so, he too was wise enough tokeep it to himself. 

However, now that he noticed Wyndham's unwonted absence from the cricketpractice, he felt more than ever convinced something was wrong in thatquarter. 

And so there was. 

Wyndham, with a drawn sword, so to speak, over his head, was fit fornothing. 

He dared not go back to Riddell. As long as his tongue was tied anyexplanation was impossible, and unless he could explain, it was worsethan useless to talk to the captain. 

Equally out of the question was a confession to the doctor, or a letterexplaining all to his brother. The only thing was either to make up hismind to his fate, or else, by getting Silk and Gilks to release him fromhis promise, to get his tongue free to make a full confession of his owndelinquencies, and throw himself entirely on the doctor's mercy. 

This last chance seemed feeble enough. But a drowning man will clutchat a straw, and so Wyndham, as his last hope, faced the unpromising taskof working on the generosity of his two old patrons. 

He began with Gilks. Gilks was in his own house, and had always seemedto be the least vicious, as he was also the least clever of the two. Besides, of late it was notorious Gilks and Silk were no longer thefriends they had been. There was a mystery about their recent quarrel;but as Gilks had been down in the mouth ever since, while Silk showed nosigns of dejection, it was safe to assume the former had come off secondbest. 

Wyndham therefore selected Gilks for his first attempt as being on thewhole the less formidable of the two. 

He found him in his study listlessly turning over the pages of a novel, which evidently must either have been a very stupid one or else notnearly as engrossing as the reader's own reflections. 

He looked up with some surprise to see Wyndham, who since he hadsomewhat ostentatiously cut his and Silk's acquaintance some weeks ago, had never been near him. 

"What do you want here?" he demanded, not very encouragingly. 

"I know you've not much reason to be friendly with me, " began the boy, "but I want to speak to you, if I may. "

"What about?" said Gilks, roughly. 

The poor boy seemed suddenly to realise the hopeless nature of the taskhe had undertaken, and he nearly broke down completely as he answered, "I'm in awful trouble, Gilks. "

"What's that to do with me?" asked Gilks. 

Wyndham struggled hard to shake off the weakness that had come over him, and replied, "It's about those visits to--to Beamish's. They--that is, Riddell--I don't know how or who told him--but he seems to have foundout about it. "

"Riddell!" cried Gilks, scornfully; "who cares for him?"

"Oh, but, " continued Wyndham, tremulously, "he means to report me forit. "

"What? report you? I thought you and he were such dear pious friends, "sneered Gilks. 

"We are friends; but he says it is his duty to do it. "

Gilks laughed scornfully. 

"Of course, it is! It only needs for a thing to be mean and low, and itwill always be his duty to do it. Bah! the hypocrite!"

Wyndham was proof against this invective. Nay, bitterly as thecaptain's sense of duty affected him, he could not help a passingfeeling of indignation on his friend's behalf at Gilk's words. 

But he was prudent enough to keep his feelings to himself. 

"Of course, " said he, "if he does report me for it, I shall beexpelled. "

"You may be sure of that, " replied Gilks, "but what's all this got to dowith me?"

Wyndham looked up in surprise. 

"Why, " said he rather nervously. "Of course you know, we, that is youand I and Silk, are all sort of in the same boat over this affair. Thatis, if it all came out. But I fancy Riddell only suspects me. "

"Well, if he does, " said Gilks, "it's all the less any concern of mine. "

"I promised, you know, " said Wyndham, "to you and Silk to say nothingabout it. "

"Of course you did, " said Gilks, "and you'd better stick to it, or it'llbe the worse for you!"

"I think, " continued the boy, "and Riddell says so--if I were to go andtell the Doctor about it, only about myself, you know, he might perhapsnot expel me. "

"Well?" said Gilks. 

"Well, " said Wyndham, "of course I couldn't do it after promising youand Silk. But I thought if I promised not to say anything about you andmake out that it was all my fault, you wouldn't mind my telling Paddy. "

Gilks looked at the boy in perplexity. This was a code of moralitydecidedly beyond him, and for a moment he looked as if he half doubtedwhether it was not a jest. 

"What on earth do you mean, you young muff?" he exclaimed. "I mean, mayI go and tell him that I went those two times to Beamish's? I promiseto say nothing about you. " Gilks laughed once more. 

"What do I care what you go and tell him?" he said. "If you want to getexpelled as badly as all that I don't want to prevent you, I'm sure. "

"Then I really may?" exclaimed poor Wyndham, scarcely believing his ownears. 

"Of course, if you keep me out of it, what on earth do I care what youtell him? You may tell him you murdered somebody there for all I care. "

"Oh, thanks, thanks, " cried Wyndham with a positively beaming face. "Igive you my word I won't even mention you or Silk. "

"As long as you don't mention me, that's all _I_ care for, " said Gilks;"and upon my word, " added he, with a sigh half to himself, "I don't muchcare whether you do or not!"

Wyndham was too delighted and relieved to pay any heed to this lastdreary remark, and gratefully took his leave, feeling that though thebattle was anything but won yet he was at least a good deal nearer hopethan he had been an hour ago. 

But he very soon checked the reviving flow of his spirits as theprospect of an interview with Silk began to loom out ahead. 

He had not seen Silk since the evening of the Rockshire match, when, asthe reader will remember the meeting was anything but a pleasant one, and, but for the timely arrival of a third party, might have endedseverely for the younger boy. 

The recollection of this did not certainly add to the hopefulness of hispresent undertaking; but young Wyndham was a boy of such a sanguinetemper, and such elastic spirits, that he could not help hopingsomething would turn up in his favour even now. He had got on farbetter than he had dared to hope with Gilks, why not also with Silk?

Besides, when all was said, it was his only chance, and therefore, whether he hoped anything or nothing, he must try it. 

He wandered about during the hour between first and second school withthe idea of coming across his man in the quadrangle or the playground. He could not make up his mind to beard the lion in his den; indeed atpresent he had every reason to fight shy of Welch's. 

Second and third school passed before he was able to renew his search, and this time he was successful. 

Just as he was beginning to give up hope, and was meditating a show-upfor appearance's sake at the cricket practice, he caught sight of Silklolling on a bench in a distant corner of the Big. 

His heart sunk as he made the discovery, but it was no time forconsulting his inclinations. 

He moved timidly over in the direction of the bench, taking care toapproach it from behind, so as to be spared the discomfort of a longinspection on the way. 

Silk blissfully unconscious of the visit in store, was peacefullyperforming a few simple addition sums on the back of an envelope, andcalculating how with six shillings he should be able to pay debtsamounting to twenty-six, when Wyndham's shadow suddenly presented itselfbetween him and his figures and gave him quite a start. 

"Ah!" said he, in his usual friendly style, and to all appearances quiteforgetful of the incidents of his last interview with this visitor. "Ah, Wyndham, so you've come back?"

"I wanted to see you very particularly, " said the boy. 

"Plenty of room on the seat, " said Silk. 

Wyndham, feeling far more uncomfortable at this civility than he haddone at Gilk's roughness, sat down. 

"Nice weather, " said Silk, mockingly, after the pause had lasted somelittle time. 

"I want to ask you a favour--a great favour, " said Wyndham, feeling thata beginning must be made. 

"Very kind of you, " replied Silk, going on with his sums, and whistlingsoftly to himself. 

Wyndham did not feel encouraged. He had half a mind to back out of theventure even now, but desperation urged him on. 

"You know I promised you never to say a word about Beamish's, " hefaltered, at length. 

"So you did, " replied Silk, drily. 

"Would you mind letting me off that promise?"

"What?" exclaimed Silk, putting down his paper and pencil and staring atthe boy. 

"I mean only as far as I'm concerned, " said Wyndham, hurriedly, tryingto avert a storm. 

"As far as you are concerned! What on earth are you talking about?"exclaimed the other. 

"I want to confess to the doctor that I went those two times, " said theboy. "I wouldn't mention your name or Gilk's. I only want to tell himabout myself. "

"Have you gone mad, or what?" cried Silk, utterly perplexed, as Gilkshad been, to understand the boy's meaning. 

Wyndham explained to him as best he could how the matter stood. HowRiddell appeared to have discovered his delinquencies, and was resolvedto report him. Of the certain result of such an exposure, and of theone hope he had, by voluntarily confessing all to the doctor, ofaverting his expulsion. 

Silk listened to it all with a sneer, and when it was done, replied, "And you mean to say you've got the impudence to come to me to help toget you out of a scrape?"

"Please, Silk, " said the boy, "I would be so grateful. "

"Bah!" snarled Silk, "have you forgotten, then, the nice row you kickedup in my study a week ago? and the way you've treated me all this term?because if you have, I haven't. "

"I know it's a lot to ask, " pleaded the boy. 

"It's a precious lot too much, " said Silk; "and no one who hadn't gotyour cheek would do it!"

And he took up his paper and pencil again, and turned his back on theboy. 

"Won't you do it, then?" once more urged Wyndham. 

"Not likely!" rejoined Silk. "If you want favours you'd better go toyour precious friend Riddell; and you can go as soon as you like. Idon't want you here!"

"If you'd only do it, " said Wyndham, "I'd--"

"Do you hear what I say?"

"I'd never ask you for the money you borrowed, " said the boy quickly. 

Silk laughed as he turned once more on his victim, and said, "Wouldn'tyou really? How awfully considerate! Upon my word, the generosity ofsome people is quite touching. Let's see, how much was it?"

"Thirty shillings, " said Wyndham, "and the change out of the post-officeorder, two pounds. "

"Which makes, " said Silk, putting the figures down on his paper, "threepounds ten, doesn't it? and you think what you ask is worth three poundsten, do you?"

"It's worth far more to me, " said the boy, "because it's the only thingcan save me from being expelled. "

Silk mused a bit over his figures, and then replied, "And what wouldhappen if I didn't pay you back?"

"I wouldn't say a word about it, " cried the boy, eagerly, "if only you'dlet me off the promise!"

"And suppose I told you I consider the promise worth just double whatyou do?"

Wyndham's face fell for a moment; he had not dared to write home aboutthe loss of his last pocket-money, and saw very little chance of raisingthe wind for so large an amount again. Yet it seemed his only hope. 

"Would that make it all right?" he asked. 

"I might think about it, " said Silk, with a sweet smile--"underconditions. "

"I don't know how I can manage it, " said Wyndham; "but I'll try. Andyou won't mind, then, my going to the doctor?"

"What! do you suppose I'm fool enough to let you do it before I have themoney?" exclaimed Silk. "You must have a nice opinion of me!"

It was no use urging further; Wyndham saw he had got all he could hopefor. It was little better than nothing, for before he could get themoney--if he got it at all--the explosion might have come, and he wouldbe expelled. If only Riddell, now, would wait a little longer!

As the thought crossed his mind he became aware that the captain wasslowly approaching the bench on which he and Silk were sitting. It wasanything but pleasant for the boy, after all that had happened, to bediscovered thus, in close companionship with the very fellow he hadpromised to avoid, and whom he had all along acknowledged to be thecause of his troubles. 

His instinct was to spring from his place and either escape or meetRiddell. But Silk saw the intention in time and forbade it. 

"No, " said he, with a laugh; "don't run away as if you were ashamed ofit. Stay where you are; let him see you keep good company now andthen. "

"Oh, I must go!" exclaimed the boy; "he'll think all sorts of things. He'll think I'm such a hypocrite after what I promised him. Oh, do letme go!"

His agitation only increased the amusement of his tormentor, who, with aview to give the captain as vivid an impression as possible, laid hishand affectionately on the boy's arm and beamed most benignantly uponhim. It was no use for Wyndham to resist. After all, suspicious as itmight appear, he was doing nothing wrong. 

And yet, what _would_ Riddell think?

The captain was pacing the Big in a moody, abstracted manner, and atfirst appeared not to notice either the bench or its occupants. Wyndham, as he sat and trembled in Silk's clutches, wildly hopedsomething might cause him to turn aside or back. But no, he camestraight on, and in doing so suddenly caught sight of the two boys. 

He started and flushed quickly, and for a moment it looked as if he wereinclined to make a wild dash to rescue the younger boy from thecompanionship in which he found him. But another glance changed thatintention, if intention it had been. 

His face fell, and he walked past with averted eyes, apparentlyrecognising neither boy, and paying no heed to Wyndham's feeblyattempted salute. 

Before he was out of hearing Silk broke into a loud laugh. "Upon myword, it's as good as a play!" cried he. "You did it splendidly, young'un! Looked as guilty as a dog, every bit! He'll give you up for lostnow, with a vengeance!"

Wyndham's misery would have moved the pity of any one but Silk. The newhopes which had risen within him had been cruelly dashed by this unhappyaccident, and he felt no further care as to what happened to him. Riddell would have lost all faith in him now; he would appear littlebetter than an ungrateful hypocrite and impostor. The last motive forsparing him would be swept away, and--so the boy thought--the duty ofreporting him would now become a satisfaction. 

He tore himself from the seat, and exclaimed, "Let me go, you brute!"

Silk looked at him in astonishment; then, relapsing into a smile, said, "Oh, indeed! a brute, am I?"

"Yes, you are!"

"And, let's see; I forget what the little favour was you wanted thebrute to do for you?"

"I want you to do _no_ favour!" cried Wyndham, passionately. 

"No? Not even to allow you to go to the doctor and tell him aboutBeamish's?"

"No; not even that! I wouldn't do it now. He may now find out what helikes. "

"It might interest him if I went and told him a few things about you?"said Silk. 

"Go! as soon as you like--and tell him anything you like, " criedWyndham. "I don't care. "

"You wouldn't even care to have back your three pound ten?"

"No, " said the boy, "not even if you ever thought of paying it back. "

Silk all this time had been growing furious. The last thing he hadexpected was that this boy, whom he supposed to be utterly in his power, should thus rise in revolt and shake off every shred of his oldallegiance. But he found he had gone too far for once, and this lastdefiant taunt of his late victim cut him to the quick. 

He sprang from the seat and made a wild dash at the boy, but Wyndham wastoo quick for him, and escaped, leaving his adversary baffled as he hadnever been before, and almost doubting whether he had not been and stillwas dreaming. 

Wyndham ran as fast as he could in the direction of the school, andwould have probably gone _on_ running till he reached his own study, hadnot the sight of Riddell slowly going the same way ahead of him suddenlychecked his progress. 

As it was, he almost ran over him before he perceived who it was. ForRiddell just at that moment had halted in his walk, and stooped to pickup a book that lay on the path. 

However, when Wyndham saw who it was, he swerved hurriedly in anotherdirection, and got to his destination by a roundabout way, feeling as hereached it about as miserable and hopeless as it was possible for a boyto be. 

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

A SELECT PARTY AT THE DOCTOR'S. 

Young Wyndham, had he only known what was in the captain's mind as hewalked that afternoon across the Big, would probably have thought twicebefore he went such a long way round to avoid him. 

Silk's little piece of pantomime had not had the effect the authorintended. In the quick glance which Riddell had given towards the benchand its occupants he had taken in pretty accurately the real state ofthe case. 

"Poor fellow!" said he to himself; "he's surely in trouble enoughwithout being laid hold of by that cad. Silk thinks I shall fancy hehas captured my old favourite. Let him! But if he has captured him hedoesn't seem very sure of him, or he wouldn't hold him down on the seatlike that. I wonder what brings them together here? and I wonder if Ihad better go and interfere? No, I think I won't just now. "

And so he walked on, troubled enough to be sure, but not concludingquite as much from what he saw as Wyndham feared or Silk hoped. 

As he walked on fellows glared at him from a distance, and otherspassing closer cut him dead. A few of the most ardent Parrett's juniorstook the liberty of hissing him and one ventured to call out, pointedly, "Who cut the rudder-lines?"

Riddell, however, though he winced under these insults, took littlenotice of them. He was as determined as ever to wait the confirmationof his suspicions before he unmasked the culprit, and equally convincedthat duty and honour both demanded that he should lose not a moment incoming to a conclusion. 

It was in the midst of these reflections that the small book whichWyndham had seen him pick up caught his eye. He picked it upmechanically, and after noticing that it appeared to be a notebook, andhad no owner's name in the beginning, carried it with him, and forgotall about it till he reached his study. 

Even here it was some time before it again attracted his attention, asits importance was wholly eclipsed by the contents of a note which hefound lying on his table, and which ran as follows:

"Dear Riddell, --Will you join us at tea this evening at seven? I expectFairbairn and Bloomfield. 

"Yours faithfully, --

"R. Patrick. "

Riddell groaned. Had he not had trouble, and humiliation, and miseryenough? What had he done to deserve this crowning torture? Tea withthe Griffins!

He sat down and wrote, as in politeness bound, that he would have muchpleasure in accepting the doctor's kind invitation, and, sending thenote off by Cusack, resigned himself to the awful prospect, which for atime shut out everything else. 

However, he had no right, he felt, to be idle. He must finish his worknow, so as to be free for the evening's "entertainment, " and for theother equally grave duties which lay before him. 

But somehow he could not work; his mind was too full to be able tosettle steadily on any one thing, and finally he pushed away the booksand gave up the attempt. 

It was at that moment that the small black book he had found caught hiseye. 

He took it up, intending, if possible, to ascertain whose property itwas, and, failing that, to send Cusack to "cry" it round the school. 

But the first thing that met his eye on the front page roused hiscuriosity. It was evidently a quotation:

 "Pass me not, oh! reader, by, Read my pages tenderly (`tenderly' altered to `on the sly'); All that's writ is writ for thee, Open now and you shall see. "

After such a cordial invitation, even Riddell could hardly feel muchqualm about dipping farther into this mysterious manuscript. 

It appeared to be a diary, which, but for the announcement at thebeginning, one would have been inclined to regard as a private document. And the first entry Riddell encountered was certainly of thatcharacter:

"Friday, the fifth day of the week. --My birthday. Rose at 6:59½. I amold. I am 24 (and ten off) some one had taken my soap. Meditations AsI dressed me. The world is very large I am small in the world I willaspire as I go to chapel I view Riddell who toucheth his hat. Grossconduct of my father sending me only half a crown breakfast at 7:33. Disturbance with the evil Telson whereby I obtained lines. "

This was quite enough for one day, and Riddell, greatly mystified, turned a few pages farther on to see if the narrative became more lucidas it progressed. 

"I am now a skyrocket. Meditations on being a skyrocket. The world isvery large, etcetera. Gross meeting of Parliament Riddell the littlecaptain sitteth on his seat. I made a noble speech gross conduct ofParson, who is kicked out. Eloquence of Bloomfield who crieth Orderunder the form I see Telson hanging on. I hang too and am removedspeaking nobly. Large tea at Parson's the cake being beastly. Riddellit seems hath cut the rudder-lines. I indignate and cut him with arazor I remove two corns from my nether foot. "

More in this strain followed, and lower down the diary proceeded:

"Wyndham the junior thinketh much of himself he is ugly in the face andin the second-eleven. I have writ a poem on Wyndham. 

 "`I do not like thee, Dr Fell (altered to "Wyndham junior") The reason why I cannot tell (altered to "say"); But this I know, and know full well (altered to "ill") I do not like thee, Dr Fell (altered to "Wyndham junior"). '

"I over hear much of Wyndham the gross Telson and the evil Parson notknowing I am by the little boys say they have seen the ugly Wyndham comefrom Beamish's. Oh evil Wyndham being taken by Silk and Gilks. No oneknows and Wyndham is to be expelled. I joy much Riddell knoweth it. Telson telleth Parson that Riddell is gross expelling for Beamish's andWyndham weepeth in private. I smile at the practice Mr Parrett bowlethme balls. I taketh them and am out. "

If Bosher could have seen the effect of this elegant extract upon thecaptain he would probably have "joyed" with infinite self-satisfaction. Riddell's colour changed as he read and re-read and re-read again thesefew lines of idiotic jargon. 

He lay down the book half a dozen times, and as often took it up again, and scrutinised the entry, and as he did so quick looks of perplexity, or joy, or shame, even of humour, chased one another across his face. 

The truth with all its new meaning slowly dawned upon him. It had beenreserved to Bosher's diary, of all agencies in the world, to explaineverything, and cast a flood of light upon what had hitherto beenincomprehensible!

Of course he could see it all now. If this diary was to be believed--but was it? Might it not be a hoax purposely put in his way to deludehim?

Yet he could not believe that this laboriously written record could havebeen compiled for his sole benefit; and this one entry which he had litupon by mere chance was only one of hundreds of stupid, absurd entries, most of which meant nothing at all, and which seemed more like thesymptoms of a disease than the healthy productions of a sane boy. 

In this one case, however, there seemed to be some method in theauthor's madness, and he had given a clue so important that Riddell, inpondering over it that evening and calculating its true value, was verynearly being late for the doctor's tea at seven o'clock. 

However, he came to himself just in time to decorate his person, andhurry across the quadrangle before the clock struck. 

On his way over he met Parson and Telson, walking arm-in-arm. Althoughthe same spectacle had met his eyes on an average twice every day thatterm, and was about the commonest "show" in Willoughby, the sight of thefaithful pair at this particular time when the revelations of Bosher'sdiary were tingling in his ears impressed the captain. Indeed, itimpressed him so much that, at the imminent risk of being late for thedoctor's tea, he pulled up to speak to them. 

Parson, as became a loyal Parrett, made as though he would pass on, butTelson held him back. 

"I say, you two, " said Riddell, "will you come to breakfast with me to-morrow morning after chapel?"

And without so much as waiting for a reply, he bolted off, leaving histwo would-be guests a trifle concerned as to his sanity. 

The clock was beginning to strike as Riddell knocked at the doctor'sdoor, and began at length to realise what he was in for. 

He did not know whether to be thankful or not that Bloomfield andFairbairn would be there to share his misery. They would be but twoextra witnesses to his sufferings, and their tribulations were hardlylikely to relieve his. 

However, there was one comfort. He might have a chance before theevening was over of telling Bloomfield that he now had every reason tobelieve his suspicions about the culprit had been wrong. 

How thankful he was he had held out against the temptation to name poorWyndham two days ago!

"Well, Riddell, how are you?" said the doctor, in his usual genialfashion. "I think you have met these ladies before. Mr Riddell--mydear--Miss Stringer. These gentlemen you have probably seen beforealso. Ha! ha!"

Riddell saluted the ladies very much as he would have saluted two maddogs, and nodded the usual Willoughby nod to his two fellow-monitors, who having already got over the introductions had retreated to a safedistance. 

A common suffering is the surest bond of sympathy, and Riddellpositively beamed on his rival in recognition of his salute. 

"I trust your mother, " said Mrs Patrick, "whose indisposition we wereregretting on the last occasion when you were here, is now better?"

"Very well indeed, I hope, " replied the captain, hardly knowing what hesaid. "Thank you. "

"And I trust, Mr Riddell, " chimed in Miss Stringer, "that you weregratified by the result of the election. "

"No, thank you, " replied Riddell, beginning to shake in his shoes. 

"Indeed? If I remember right you professed yourself to be a Liberal?"

"Yes--that is--the Radical got in, " faltered Riddell, wondering why incommon charity no one came to his rescue. 

"And pray, Mr Riddell, " continued Miss Stringer, ruthlessly, "can youtell us the difference between a Liberal and a Radical? I have oftenlonged to know--and you I have no doubt are an authority?"

Riddell at this point seriously meditated a forced retreat, and there isno saying what desperate act he might have committed had not the doctorprovidentially come to the rescue. 

"The election altogether, " said he, laughing, "is rather a sore point inthe school. I told you, my dear, about the manner in which MrCheeseman's letter was received?"

"You did, " replied Mrs Patrick, who for some few moments had had hereyes upon Bloomfield, with a view to draw him out. 

"Now do you really suppose, Mr Bloomfield, that the boys in your house, for instance, attached any true importance at all to the issue of thecontest?"

Bloomfield, who had not been aware till this question was half over thatit had been addressed to him, started and said--the most fatalobservation he could have made--

"Eh? I beg your pardon, that is. "

"I inquired, " said Mrs Patrick, fixing him with her eye, "whether youreally supposed that the boys in your house, for instance, attached anytrue importance at all to the issue of the contest?"

Bloomfield received this ponderous question meekly, and made a feebleeffort to turn it over in his mind, and then dreading to hear itrepeated once more, answered, "Oh, decidedly, ma'am. "

"In what respect?" inquired the lady, settling herself down on thesettee, and awaiting, with raised eyebrows, her victim's answer. 

Poor Bloomfield was no match for this deliberate style of tactics. 

"They were all yellow, " he replied, feebly. 

"All what, sir?" demanded Mrs Patrick. 

"All Whig, I mean, " he said. 

"Exactly. What I mean to know is, do they any of them appreciate thedistinction between a Whig (or, as Mr Riddell terms it, a Liberal)--"

Riddell winced. 

"--Between a Whig and a Radical?"

"Oh, certainly not, " replied Bloomfield, wildly. "And yet you say thatthey decidedly attached a true importance to the issue of the contest?That is very extraordinary!"

And Mrs Patrick rose majestically to take her seat at the table, leaving Bloomfield writhing and turned mentally inside out, to recoveras best he could from this interesting political discussion!

"The Rockshire match was a great triumph, " said the doctor, cheerily, asthe company established itself at the festive board--"and a surprisetoo, surely--was it not?"

"Yes, sir, " said Fairbairn, who, seeing that Bloomfield was not yet in acondition to discourse, felt it incumbent on him to reply--"we neverexpected to win by so much. "

"It was quite an event, " said the doctor, "the heads of the three housesall playing together in the same eleven. "

"Yes, sir, " replied Fairbairn, "Bloomfield here was most impartial. "

Bloomfield said something which sounded like "Not at all. "

"I was especially glad to see the Welchers coming out again, " said thedoctor, with a friendly nod to Riddell. 

"Yes, " said Fairbairn, who appeared to be alarmingly at his ease; "andWelch's did good service too; that catch of Riddell's saved us a wicketor two, didn't it, Bloomfield?"

"Yes, " replied Bloomfield. 

"Was Rockshire a specially weak team this year?" asked the doctor. 

"I don't think so, sir, " replied Fairbairn, politely handing the toastto Miss Stringer as he spoke; "but they evidently weren't so welltogether as our men. "

"And what, Mr Fairbairn, " asked Miss Stringer at this point, in hermost stately tones--"what, pray, is the exact meaning of the expression`well together, ' as applied to a company of youths?"

Bloomfield and Riddell groaned inwardly for their comrade. They hadseen what was coming, and had marked his rash approach to the mouth ofthe volcano with growing apprehension. They had been helpless to holdhim back, and now his turn was come--he had met his fate. 

So, at least, they imagined. What, then, was their amazement when heturned not a hair at the question, but replied, stirring his teacomplacently as he did so, "You see, each of the Rockshire men may havebeen a good cricketer, and yet if they had not been used to playingtogether, as our fellows have been, we should have a decided pull onthem. "

Miss Stringer regarded the speaker critically. She had not been used tohave her problems so readily answered, and appeared to discover asuspicion of rudeness in the boy's speech which called for a set-down. 

"I do not understand what you mean by a `pull, ' Mr Fairbairn, " saidshe, sternly. 

"Why, " replied Fairbairn, who was really interested in the subject, andquite pleased to be drawn out on so congenial a topic, "it's almost asimportant to get to know the play of your own men as to know the play ofyour opponents. For instance, when we all know Bloomfield's balls breaka bit to the off, we generally know whereabouts in the field to expectthem if they are taken; and when Porter goes on with slows every oneknows to stand in close and look out for catches. "

"Yes, " said Bloomfield, gaining sudden courage by the example of hiscomrade, "that's just where Rockshire were weak. They were alwaysshifting about their field and bowlers. I'm certain they had scarcelyplayed together once. "

"And, " added Riddell, also taking heart of grace, and entering into thehumour of the situation--"and they seemed to save up their good bowlersfor the end, instead of beginning with them. All our hitting men gotthe easy bowling, and the others, who were never expected to score inany case, were put out by the good. "

"In this respect, you see, " continued Fairbairn, addressing MissStringer, "a school eleven always get the pull of a scratch team. "

Miss Stringer, who during this conversation had been growing manifestlyuncomfortable, vouchsafed no reply, but, turning to her sister, said, with marked formality, "My dear, were the Browns at home when you calledthis afternoon?"

"I regret to say they were out, " replied Mrs Patrick, with a witheringglance round the table. 

"Of course, it depends, too, " said Bloomfield, replying to Fairbairn'slast question and giving him an imperceptible sly kick under the table, "on whether it's early or late in the season. If we were to play themin August they would know their own play as well as we know ours. "

"Only, " chimed in Riddell, "these county teams don't stick to the sameelevens as regularly as a school does. "

"My dear, have you done your tea?" inquired Mrs Patrick's voice acrossthe table. 

"Yes. Shall I ring?" said the doctor. 

"Allow me, " said Fairbairn, rising hastily, and nearly knocking overMiss Stringer in his eagerness. 

The spinster, who had already received in her own opinion sufficientaffront for one evening, put the worst construction possible on thisaccident, and answered with evident ill-temper, "You are very clumsy, sir!"

"I beg your pardon, indeed!" said Fairbairn. "I hope you are not hurt?"

"Be silent, sir!"

Fairbairn, quite taken aback by this unexpected exclamation, did notknow what to say, and looked round inquiringly at the doctor, as much asto ask if the lady was often taken this way. 

The doctor, however, volunteered no explanation, but lookeduncomfortable and coughed. 

"If you will excuse me, " said Miss Stringer to her sister, with a forcedseverity of tone, "I will go to my room. "

"You are not well, I fear, " said Mrs Patrick. "I will go with you";and next moment the enemy was gone, and the doctor and his boys weretogether. 

Dr Patrick, who, to tell the truth, seemed scarcely less relieved thanhis visitors, made no attempt to apologise for Miss Stringer's suddenindisposition, and embarked at once on a friendly talk about schoolaffairs. 

This had been his only object in inviting the boys. He had nothingmomentous to say, and no important change to propose. Indeed, hisobject appeared to be more to get them to talk among themselves onmatters of common interest to the school, and to let them see that hissympathy was with them in their efforts for the public good. 

No reference was made to the state of affairs in Parrett's, or to therivalries of the two captains. That the doctor knew all about thesematters no one doubted, but he took the wise course of leaving them toright themselves, and at the same time of making it very clear what hisopinions were of the effect of disunion and divided interest in a greatpublic school. 

Altogether the evening was profitably and pleasantly spent, and when atlength the boys took their leave it was with increased respect for thehead master and one another. 

The ladies, greatly to their relief, did not return to the scene. 

"Miss Stringer, " said Fairbairn, as the three walked together across thequadrangle, "doesn't seem to appreciate cricket. "

The others laughed. 

"I say, " said Bloomfield, "you put your foot into it awfully! Shethought you were chaffing her all the time. "

"Did she? What a pity!" replied Fairbairn. 

"Of course, we were bound to help you out when you were once in, "continued Bloomfield. "But I don't fancy we three will be asked upthere again in a hurry. "

They came to the schoolhouse gate, and Fairbairn said good-night. Riddell and Bloomfield walked on together towards Parrett's. 

"Oh, Bloomfield!" said the captain, nervously, "I just wanted to tellyou that I believe I have been all wrong in my guess about the boat-raceaffair. The boy I suspected, I now fancy, had nothing to do with it. "

"You are still determined to keep it all to yourself, then?" askedBloomfield, somewhat coldly. 

"Of course, " replied the captain. 

At this point they reached Parrett's. Neither boy had any inclinationto pursue the unpleasant topic--all the more unpleasant because it wasthe one bar to a friendship which both desired. 

"Good-night, " said Bloomfield, stiffly. 

"Good-night, " replied the captain. 

CHAPTER THIRTY. 

NEW LIGHTS ON OLD QUESTIONS. 

Fairbairn was startled next morning while engaged over his toilet by asudden visit from the captain. 

What could be wrong to bring him there at this hour, with a face full ofanxiety and a voice full of concern, as he inquired, "Will you do me afavour, old man?"

Fairbairn knew his friend had been in trouble for some time past, andwas sore beset on many hands. He had not attempted to intrude into hissecrets or to volunteer any aid. For he knew Riddell would ask him ifhe wanted it. In proof of which here he was. 

"Of course, I will, " replied he, "if I can. "

"Do you happen to have a pot of jam you could lend me?"

Fairbairn fairly staggered at this unexpected request. He had imaginedhe was to be asked at the very least to accompany his friend on somematter of moment to the doctor's study, or to share some tremendoussecret affecting the honour of Willoughby. And to be asked now for theloan of a pot of jam was too great a shock for his gravity, and he burstout laughing. 

"A pot of jam!" he exclaimed. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Oh, any sort you've got, " said the captain, eagerly; "and I suppose youhaven't got a pie of any sort, or some muffins?"

Fairbairn gaped at his visitor with something like apprehension as hecame out with this extraordinary request. The captain's voice wasgrave, and _no_ suspicion of a jest lurked in his face. Could hepossibly have succumbed to the mental strain of the past term, and takenleave of his wits?

"What _are_ you talking about, Riddell?" asked Fairbairn, in tonesalmost of pity. "Has anything happened to you?"

Riddell looked at the speaker inquisitively for a moment, then broke outinto a laugh. 

"What an ass I am! I forgot to tell you what I wanted them for. Thefact is, I asked two kids to breakfast this morning, and I justremembered I had nothing but tea and toast to offer them; and it's tooearly to get anything in. I'd be awfully obliged if you could help meout with it. "

Fairbairn's merriment broke out afresh as the truth revealed itself, andit was some time before he could attend to business. He then offeredRiddell anything he could find in his cupboard, and the captainthereupon gratefully availed himself of the offer to secure a pot ofred-currant jam, a small pot of potted meat, two or three apples, and aconsiderable section of a plum cake. All these he promised to replacewithout delay, and triumphantly hurried back with them in his pocket andunder his jacket, in time to deposit them on his table before the bellbegan to ring for chapel. He also sent Cusack round to the schoollarder to order three new laid eggs and some extra butter to bedelivered at once. 

These grand preparations being duly made, he breathed again, and wenthopefully to chapel. 

As it happened, he had been very near reckoning without his host, or Ishould say his guests. For Parson and Telson had been some time beforethey could make up their minds to accept the hurried invitation of theprevious evening. 

"It's a row, " Telson had said, as the captain disappeared. 

"Of course it is. I'm not going, " said Parson. 

"Wonder what about?"

"Oh, that Skyrocket affair, I suppose. "

"Do you think he'll give us impots if we don't go?"

"Don't know--most likely. "

"Rum, his asking us to breakfast, though, " said Telson. 

"All a dodge, I expect, " said Parson. "By the way, what sort ofbreakfasts does he go in for?"

"Not bad when he likes, " said Telson, with the authority of an old fag. 

"Bacon?" asked Parson. 

"Sometimes, " said Telson. 

"Jam?" inquired Parson. 

"Generally, " replied Telson. 

There was a pause. Then Parson said, "Fancy we'd better turn up. It'sonly civil, when he asked us. "

"All serene, " said Telson; "if it is a row, of course it will come offin any case. And we may as well get our breakfast somewhere. "

With which philosophical resolve the matter had been settled, and theamiable pair parted to meet next morning after chapel. 

Riddell spared himself the embarrassment of waiting to escort his gueststo the festive board, and hurried off in advance to see that thepreparations were duly made in their honour. 

He caught Cusack wistfully eyeing the unwonted array of good things onthe table, and evidently speculating as to who the favoured guests wereto be. It was with some difficulty that the captain got him sent off tohis own breakfast in the big hall, half bribed thereto by the promise ofa reversion of the coming feast. 

Then, feeling quite exhausted by his morning's excitement, he sat downand awaited his visitors. 

They arrived in due time; still, to judge of their leisurely approachand their languid knock, a little suspicious of the whole affair. Butthe moment the door opened, and their eyes fell on the table, theirmanner changed to one of the most amiable briskness. 

"Good-morning, " said Riddell, who, in the presence of the greaterattractions on the table, ran considerable risk of being overlookedaltogether. 

"Good-morning, " cried the boys, suddenly roused by his voice to a senseof their social duty. 

"Awfully brickish of you to ask us round, " said Telson. 

"Rather, " chimed in Parson. 

"I'm glad you came, " said the captain. "We may as well have breakfast. Telson, have you forgotten how to boil eggs?"

Telson said emphatically he had not, and proceeded forthwith to givepractical proof of his cunning, while Parson volunteered his aid incutting up the bread, and buttering the toast. 

In due time the preliminaries were all got through, and the trio satdown to partake of the reward of their toil. 

Riddell could not thank his stars sufficiently that he had thought ofembellishing his feast with the few luxuries from Fairbairn's cupboard. Nothing could exceed the good-humour of the two juniors as one delicacyafter another unfolded its charms and invited their attention. Theyaccompanied their exertions with a running fire of chat and chaff, whichleft Riddell very little to do except gently to steer the conversationround towards the point for which this merry meeting was designed. 

"Frightful job to get old Parson to turn up, " said Telson, taking hisfourth go-in of potted meat; "he thought you were going to row him aboutthat shindy in the Parliament!"

"No, I didn't, " rejoined Parson, pushing up his cup for more tea. "Itwas you said that about blowing up us Skyrockets. "

"What a howling cram, " said Telson. "I never make bad jokes. You know, Riddell, it was Parson stuck us up to that business. He's always at thebottom of the rows. "

Parson laughed at this compliment. 

"You mean I always _get_ into the rows, " said he. 

"Anyhow, I don't suppose the Skyrockets will show up again this term, "said Telson. 

"They certainly did not get much encouragement last time, " said Riddell, laughing. "You know I don't think you fellows do yourselves justice inthings like that. Fellows get to think the only thing you're good at isa row. "

"Fact is, " said Parson, "Telson thought we'd been so frightfully snubbedthis term, we kids, that he said we ought to stick up for ourselves. "

"I said that?" cried Telson. "Why, you know it was you said it!"

"By the way, " said Parson, "wasn't there to be a special meeting of theHouse to-day, for something or other?"

Telson looked rather uncomfortable, and then said, "Yes, I heard so. Ifancy it's about you, somehow, " added he, addressing Riddell. 

"About me?" asked the captain. 

"Yes--to kick you out, or something, " said Telson; "but Parson and Imean to go and vote against it. "

This was news to Riddell, and rather astonishing news too. 

"To kick me out?" he asked. "What for?"

"Oh, you know, " said Parson. "It's some bosh about that boat-raceaffair. Some of the chaps think you are mixed up in it, but of courseit's all a cram. I've told them so more than once. "

"It's all those Parrett's cads, " said Telson, taking up the matter froma schoolhouse point of view. "They're riled about the race, and aboutthe cricket-match, and everything else, and try to make out every one'scheating. "

"Well, some one must have been cheating, " said Parson, a trifle warmly, "when he cut my rudder-lines; and he's not likely to be one of _our_fellows--much more likely to be a schoolhouse cad!"

"I'll fight you, you know, Parson!" put in Telson. 

Riddell saw it was time to interfere. The conversation was driftinginto an unprofitable channel, from which it would scarcely work its wayout unassisted. 

What he wanted was to find out whether there was any truth in theexplanation which the diary afforded of young Wyndham's conduct, and hewas a long way from that yet. 

"Have some more cake, Telson, " said he, by way of changing the subject. 

Telson cheerfully accepted the invitation, while Parson, to spare hishost the trouble of pressing him to take an apple, helped himself. 

Then when they were well started once more the captain said, "Who'sgoing to win the juniors' match, Parson? Our fellows quite think theyare. "

"Yes, " said Parson, contemptuously; "I heard they had cheek enough tosay so. But they'll be disappointed for once. "

"Well, " said Riddell, "they've been practising pretty steadily of late. They're not to be despised. Whatever has become of the juniors' elevenin the schoolhouse, Telson?"

"Can't make out, " replied Telson; "they're an awful set of louts thisyear; only one or two good men in the lot. I don't think they canscrape up an eleven. "

"Ah!" said the captain, seeing his chance; "you've lost a good many goodfellows. Wyndham, for one, has got up into the second-eleven, I hear. "

"Yes, " said Parson; "and jolly cocky he is about it, too!"

"He's not been down at the practices lately, though, " said Telson, colouring slightly, and for no apparent reason. 

"Why? Is he seedy?" said the captain. 

"Eh! No; I don't think so. Wyndham's not seedy, is he, should youthink, Parson?"

"No, " said Parson, exchanging uncomfortable glances with his ally; "notexactly seedy. "

"It'll be a pity if he doesn't get playing in the Templeton match, " saidRiddell. 

Would the fish bite? If the diary had spoken true, these two boys wereat present very full of Wyndham's affair, and a trifle indignant withthe captain himself for his supposed intention of reporting that youth'stransgression at headquarters. If that were so, Riddell considered itpossible that, after their honest fashion, they might take uponthemselves to give him a piece of their mind, which was exactly what hewanted. 

"The fact is, " said Telson, "Parson and I both think he's down in themouth. "

"Indeed?" asked the captain, busily buttering a fresh slice of toast. 

"Yes. Haven't you seen it?" asked Parson. 

"He's in a funk about something or other, " said Telson. 

It was getting near now!

"What about, do you know?" asked the captain. 

"Why, you know, " said Telson. "About being expelled, you know. "

"Expelled! What for?" asked Riddell; and the boy's reply gave him asatisfaction quite out of proportion to its merits. 

"About Beamish's, you know, " said Telson, confidentially; "he thinksyou're going to report him. "

"And he's bound to get expelled if you do, " said Parson. 

"And how do you know about it?" asked the captain, quietly. 

"Oh! you know, Parson and I spotted them--that is, Gilks and Silk andhim--that night of Brown's party. But we never told anybody, and don'tmean to, so I don't know how it came out. "

"Anyhow, " said Parson, "if he's to be expelled, Silk and Gilks ought tocatch it too. I bet anything they took him there. Thanks! a littlepiece. "

This last sentence was in reply to an invitation to take some more cake. 

Under cover of this diversion, Riddell, with thankful heart, continuedto steer the talk out again into the main channel of school affairs, ofwhich the affair of Wyndham junior was but one of many. 

Before the meal was over it had got as far Eutropius, and he fairly wonhis guests' hearts by announcing that he did not consider thathistorian's Latin nearly as good as Caesar's, an opinion which theyendorsed with considerable heat. 

All good things come to an end at last, and so did this breakfast, theend of which found the boys in as great good-humour as at the beginning. They thanked the captain most profusely for his hospitality, which theynever doubted was meant as a recognition of their own sterling merits, and of the few attempts they had lately made to behave themselves; and, after inviting him to come to a concert they were about to give on theevening of the juniors' match, took their departure. 

"By the way, " said Riddell, as they were going, "do either of you knowto whom this book belongs? I found it in the playground yesterday. "

A merry laugh greeted the appearance of Bosher's diary, which the pairrecognised as a very old friend. 

"It's old Bosher's diary, " said Telson. "He's always dropping it about. I believe he does it on purpose. I say, isn't it frightful bosh?"

"It isn't very clear in parts, " said the captain. 

"Did he call you `evil, ' or `gross, ' or `ugly in the face, ' in the partyou looked at?" asked Telson; "because, if so, we may as well lick himfor you. "

"No, don't do that, " said Riddell; "you had better give it him back, though, and advise him from me not to drop it about more than he canhelp. Good-bye. "

With a great weight off his mind, Riddell went down to first school thatday a thankful though a humbled man. 

What a narrow escape he had had of doing the boy he cared for most inWilloughby a grievous injustice. Indeed, by suspecting him privately hehad done him injustice enough as it was, for which he could not too soonatone. 

In the midst of his relief about the boat-race he could scarcely bringhimself to regard seriously the boy's real offence, bad as that hadbeen; and, indeed, it was not until Wyndham himself referred to it thatafternoon that its gravity occurred to him. 

Just as the special meeting of the Parliament (convened by privateinvitation of Game and Ashley to a select few of their own way ofthinking) was assembling, Wyndham, in compliance with a message from thecaptain, strolled out into the Big towards the _very_ bench whereyesterday he had had his memorable talk with Silk. 

Riddell was waiting there for him, and as the boy approached, hiswretched, haggard looks smote the captain's heart with remorse. 

He had scarcely the spirit to return Riddell's salute as he seatedhimself beside him on the bench and waited for what was to come. 

"Old fellow, " said Riddell, "don't look so wretched. Things mayn't beso bad as you think. "

"How could they be anything else?" said Wyndham, dolefully. 

"If you'll listen to me, and not look so frightfully down, " said thecaptain, "I'll tell you. "

Wyndham made a feeble attempt to rouse himself, and turned to hear whatthe captain had to say. 

"You wonder, " said Riddell, "how I came to know about that visit toBeamish's. Would it astonish you to hear that till this time yesterdayI never knew about it at all?"

"What!" exclaimed Wyndham, incredulously; "you were talking to me aboutit two or three days before. "

"So you thought. You thought when I said it was my duty to report it, and that the honour of the school was involved in it, and all that, thatI was talking about that scrape at Beamish's. "

"Of course you were, " said Wyndham. "What else could you have beentalking about? I confessed it to you myself. "

"And you couldn't see what the honour of the school had to do with yourgoing to Beamish's, could you?" asked Riddell. 

"Well, no. Perhaps it has, but I didn't see it at the time. "

"Of course not, " said the captain, "and if I had been thinking ofBeamish's I should never have said such a stupid thing. "

"Why, what _do_ you mean?" said Wyndham, puzzled. 

"Why, this. In all our talks you never once mentioned Beamish's. Youconcluded what I suspected you of was this, and I concluded that thescrape you were confessing was the one I suspected you of. "

"What do you suspect me of, then?" inquired Wyndham, "if it wasn'tthat?"

"I'm ashamed to say, " said the captain, "I suspected you of having cutthe lines of Parrett's rudder at the boat-race. "

Wyndham, in the shock of this announcement, broke out into an almosthysterical laugh. 

"Suspected me of cutting the rudder-lines!" he gasped. 

"Yes, " said Riddell, sorrowfully. "I'm ashamed to say it. "

"Why, however could you?" exclaimed the boy, in strange bewilderment. 

Riddell quietly told him the whole story. Of the mysterious letter, ofhis visit to Tom the boat-boy, of the knife, of the recollection ofWyndham's movements on the night in question, and then of his supposedadmission of his guilt. 

Wyndham listened to it all with breathless attention and wonder, andwhen it was all done sighed as he replied, "Why, Riddell, it's like astory, isn't it?"

"It is, " said the captain, "and rather a pitiful story as far as I amconcerned. "

"Not a bit, " replied the boy, as sympathetically as if Riddell was theperson to be pitied and he was the person who had wronged him. "It wasall a misunderstanding. How on earth could you have helped suspectingme? Any one would have done the same. 

"But, " added he, after a pause, "what ought I to do about Beamish's? Ofcourse that was no end of a scrape, and the mischief is, I promisedthose two cads never to say a word about it. By the way, you saw mewith Silk on this bench yesterday afternoon?"

"Yes, " said Riddell; "you didn't seem to be enjoying yourself. "

"I should think I wasn't. I'd been trying to get him to let me off thatpromise, and he had offered to do it for seven pounds, under condition. I might have closed with him if you hadn't come past just then. He heldme down to rile you, and I got so wild I rounded on him and made him ina frightful rage, and it's very likely now he may tell Paddy if youdon't. "

"Not he, " said Riddell. "You're well out of his clutches, old man, andit strikes me the best way you can atone for that affair is by keepingout of it for the future, and having no more to do with fellows likethat. "

"What on earth should I have done, " said the boy, "without you to lookafter me? I'd have gone to the dogs, to a dead certainty. "

"It seems I can look after you rather too much sometimes, " said thecaptain. "Ah, there's Silk coming this way. We needn't stop, here togive him a return match. Come on. "

And the two friends rose and strolled off happily arm-in-arm. 

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

WELCH'S VERSUS PARRETT'S JUNIORS. 

"Of course, " said Riddell, as he and Wyndham strolled down by the riverthat afternoon, "now that your mystery is all cleared up we are as faroff as ever finding out who really cut the rudder-lines. "

"Yes. My knife is the only clue, and that proves nothing, for I wasalways leaving it about, or lending it, or losing it. I don't suppose Ikept it one entire week in my pocket all the time I had it. And, forthe matter of that, it's not at all impossible I may have dropped it inthe boat-house myself some time. I often used to change my jacketthere. "

Riddell had half expected Wyndham would be able to afford some clue asto who had borrowed or taken the knife at that particular time. He wasrather relieved to find that he could not. 

"Tom the boat-boy, " said he, "distinctly says that the fellow who wasgetting out of the window dropped the knife as he did so. Of coursethat may be his fancy. Anyhow, I don't want the knife any more, so youmay as well take it. "

So saying he produced the knife from his pocket, and handed it to hiscompanion. 

"I don't want the beastly thing, " cried Wyndham, taking it and pitchingit into the middle of the river. "Goodness knows it's done mischiefenough! But, I say, whoever wrote that note must have known somethingabout it. "

"Of course, " said the captain, "but he evidently intends the thing to befound out without his help. "

"Never mind, " said Wyndham, cheerily, "give yourself a little rest, oldman, and come down and see the second-eleven practise. I've been toomuch up a tree to turn up lately, but I mean to do so this evening. Isay, won't it be jolly if my brother can come down to umpire in thematch. "

"It _will_, " said Riddell, and the pair forthwith launched out into adiscussion of the virtues of Wyndham senior, in which one was scarcelymore enthusiastic than the other. 

On their way back to the Big they met Parson and Telson, trotting downto the bathing sheds. 

The faces of these two young gentlemen looked considerably perplexed asthey saw the captain and his supposed victim walking arm-in-arm. However, with the delightful simplicity of youth they thought it must beall right somehow, and having important news of some sort to relate, they made no scruple about intruding on the interview. 

"Oh, I say, Riddell, " began Telson, "we've just come from theParliament. No end of a row. Last time was nothing to it!"

"What happened?" asked the captain. 

"Why, you know, " said Parson, "it was Game and Ashley's affair summoningthis meeting. They sent round a private note or something telling thefellows there would be a special meeting, signed by Game, First Lord ofthe Admiralty, and Ashley, Home Secretary. A lot of the fellows weretaken in by it and turned up, and of course they had taken good care notto summon anybody that was sweet on you. So it was a packed meeting. At least they thought so. But Telson and I showed up, and the whole lotof the Skyrockets, and gave them a lively time of it. "

"You see, " said Telson, eagerly taking up the narrative, "they didn'tguess we'd cut up rough, because we've been in rows of that sort once ortwice before. "

Wyndham broke out laughing at this point. 

"Have you, really?" he exclaimed. 

"Well, " continued Telson, too full of his story to heed theinterruption, "they stuck Game in the chair, and he made a frightfullyrambling speech about you and that boat-race business. He said you knewwho the chap was, and were sheltering him and all that, and that youwere as bad every bit as if you'd done it yourself, and didn't care ahang about the honour of the school, and a whole lot of bosh of thatsort. We sung out `Oh, oh, ' and `Question, ' once or twice, but, youknow, we were saving ourselves up. So Ashley got up and said he wasawfully astonished to hear about it--howling cram, of course, for heknew about it as much as any one did--and he considered it a disgrace tothe school, and the only thing to do was to kick you out, and heproposed it. "

"Then the shindy began, " said Parson. "We sent young Lawkins off totell Crossfield what was going on, and directly Ashley sat down oldTelson got up and moved an amendment. They tried to cry him down, butthey couldn't do it, could they?"

"Rather not, " said Telson, proudly. "I stuck there like a leech, andthe fellows all yelled too, so that nobody could hear any one speak. Wekept on singing out `Hole in the corner! Hole in the corner!' for abouttwenty minutes, and there weren't enough of them to turn us out. Thenthey tried to get round us by being civil, but we were up to that dodge. Parson went on after me, and then old Bosher, and then King, and thenWakefield, and when he'd done I started again. "

"You should have seen how jolly wild they got!" cried Parson. "A lot ofthe fellows laughed, and joined us too. Old Game and Ashley wereregularly mad! They came round and bawled in our ears that they gave usa thousand lines each, and we'd be detained all the rest of the term. But we didn't hear it; and when they tried to get at us we hit out withrulers, and they couldn't do it. You never saw such a lark!"

"And presently Crossfield turned up, " said Telson. "My eye! you shouldhave seen how yellow and green they looked when he dropped in and walkedup to his usual place! We shut up for a bit as soon as he came--and, you know, I fancy they'd have sooner we kept it up. They were bound tosay something when the row stopped. So Game tried to rush the thingthrough, and get the fellows to vote before Crossfield knew what was up. But he wasn't to be done that way. "

"`I didn't quite hear what the motion was?' says he, as solemn as ajudge. 

"`Oh! it's about the honour of the school. Riddell--'

"`Excuse me, Mr Deputy-Chairman and ex-monitor, ' says Crossfield, andthere was a regular laugh at that hit, because, of course, Game had nomore right in the chair, now he's not a monitor, than I had. `If it'sanything to do with the honour of the school, of course it couldn't bein better hands than yours, who have summoned the meeting on the sly, and taken such care to select a nice little party!'

"They tried to stop him at that. 

"`You can't stop the business now. We were just going to take the votewhen you came in, ' said Game. 

"`Exactly!' says Crossfield, propping himself up comfortably against theback of the form as if he was going to stay all night; `that's just whyI came, and that's just why Bloomfield, and Porter, and Coates, andFairbairn, and a few other gentlemen who have a sort of mild interest inthe honour of the school--although it's nothing, of course, to yours--are coming on too. They'll be here before I've done my speech. By theway, one of you kids, ' said he, with a wink our way, `might go and fetchRiddell; he'd like to be here too. '

"We shoved young Wakefield out of the door to make believe to go andfetch you. But they'd had quite enough of it, and shut up the meetingall of a sudden. 

"`I adjourn the meeting!' cried Game, as red as a turkey-cock. 

"`All right! that will suit me just as well, ' says Crossfield, grinning. `Is it to any particular day, or shall we get notice as before?'

"Of course they didn't stop to answer, and so we gave no end of a cheerfor old Crossfield, and then came on here. "

And having delivered themselves of this full, true, and particularaccount of the afternoon's adventures, these two small heroes continuedtheir trot down to the river to refresh their honest limbs after theday's labours. 

Their version of the proceedings was very little exaggerated, and, asCrossfield and several others who were present each entertained his ownparticular circle of friends with the same story, the whole affairbecame a joke against the luckless Game and Ashley. 

Even their own house did not spare them, and as for Bloomfield, heevinced his displeasure in a way which surprised the two heroes. 

"What's all this foolery you've been up to, you two?" said he, cominginto the preparation-room after tea, where most of the senior Parrettswere assembled. 

It was not flattering certainly to the two in question to have theirnoble protest for the honour of the school thus designated, and Gameanswered, rather sheepishly, "We've been up to no foolery!"

"You may not call it foolery, " said Bloomfield, who was in anything buta good temper, "but I do! Making the whole house ridiculous! Goodnessknows there's been quite enough done in that way without wanting yourhelp to do more!"

"What's the use of going on like that?" said Ashley. "You don't supposewe did it to amuse ourselves, do you?"

"If you didn't amuse yourselves you amused every one else, " growledBloomfield. "Everybody's laughing at us. "

"We felt something ought to be done about Riddell--" began Game. 

"Felt! You'd no business to feel, if that's the best you can show forit, " said Bloomfield. "_You'll_ never set things right!"

"Look here, " said Game, quickly, losing his temper; "you know wellenough it was meant for the best, and you needn't come and kick up a rowlike this before everybody! If you don't care to have Riddell shown up, it is no reason why we shouldn't!"

"A precious lot you've shown him up! If you'd wanted to get every oneon his side, you couldn't have done better. You don't suppose any onewould be frightened out of his skin by anything a couple of asses who'dbeen kicked out of the monitorship had to say?"

Bloomfield certainly had the habit of expressing himself warmly attimes, and on the present occasion he may have done so rather morewarmly than the case deserved. But he was put out and angry at theridiculous performance of the Parrett's boys, in which he felt theentire house was more or less compromised. 

As to Riddell, Bloomfield still kept his own private opinion of him, butthe difference between him and his more ardent comrades was that he hadthe sense to keep what he thought to himself. 

At any rate, he gave deep offence now to Game and Ashley, who retired inhigh dudgeon and greatly crestfallen to proclaim their wrongs to a smalland sympathetic knot of admirers. 

Perhaps the most serious blow these officious young gentlemen hadreceived--hardly second to their snubbing by the Parretts' captain--hadbeen the mutiny of their own juniors, on whose cooperation they hadcalculated to a dead certainty. 

To find Parson, Bosher, King, and Co. Standing up in defence of Riddellagainst _them_ was a phenomenon so wonderful, when they came to think ofit, that they were inclined to imagine they themselves were the onlysane boys left out of a house of lunatics. And this was the onlyconsolation that mixed with the affair at all. 

As to these juniors, they had far more to think about. In three daysthe match with Welch's would be upon them, and a panic ensued on thediscovery. 

They had been contemptuously confident of their superior prowess, and itwas not until one or two of them had actually been down to inspect theplay of the rival team, and Bloomfield had come down to one of their ownpractices and declared publicly that they were safe to be beaten hollow, that they regarded the coming contest seriously. 

Then they went to work in grim earnest. Having broken with Game, onwhom they had usually depended for "instruction and reproof, " theyboldly claimed the services of Bloomfield, and even pressed the willingMr Parrett into the service. 

Mr Parrett pulled a very long face the first afternoon he came down tolook at them. He had been coaching the Welchers for a week or two past, and therefore knew pretty well what their opponents ought to be. And hewas bound to admit that the young Parretts were very much below themark. 

They had a few good men. Parson was a fair bat, and King bowledmoderately; but the "tail" of the eleven was in a shocking condition. Everything that could be done during the next few days was done. Butcricket is not a study which can be "crammed" up, like Virgil or Euclid;and, despite the united efforts of Bloomfield and Mr Parrett, and a fewother authorities, the team was pronounced to be a "shady" one at bestas it took its place on the field of battle. 

Riddell had kept his men steadily at it to the last. With a generosityvery few appreciated, he forbore to claim Mr Parrett's assistance atall during the last few days of practice, but he got Fairbairn and oneor two of the schoolhouse seniors instead, and with their help kept upthe courage and hopes of the young Welchers, wisely taking care, however, by a little occasional judicious snubbing, to prevent them frombecoming too cocky or sure of the result. 

It was quite an event to see the Welchers' flag hoisted once more on thecricket-ground. Indeed, it was such an event that the doctor himselfcame down to watch the play, while the muster of schoolboys was almostas large as at a senior house match. 

Among all the spectators, none were more interested in the event thanthe seniors, who had taken upon themselves the responsibility of"coaching" their respective teams. 

Riddell was quite excited and nervous as he watched his men go out tofield, while Bloomfield, though he would have been the last to own it, felt decidedly fidgety for the fate of his young champions. 

However, Parretts, who went in first, began better than any oneexpected. Parson and King went boldly--not to say rashly--to work fromthe outset, and knocked the bowling about considerably before a luckyball from Philpot got round the bat of the former and demolished hiswicket. 

Wakefield followed, and he too managed to put a few runs together; butas soon as his wicket fell a dismal quarter of an hour followed for theParretts. Boy after boy, in all the finery of spotless flannel and padsand gloves, swaggered up to the wicket, and, after taking "middle" inmagnificent style, and giving a lordly glance round the field, as thoughto select the best point for placing their strokes, lifted their batsmiserably at the first ball that came, and had no chance of lifting itat another. 

It was a melancholy spectacle, and far more calculated to excite pitythan amusement. Bloomfield chafed and growled for some time, and then, unable to stand it any longer, went off in disgust, leaving the youngreprobates to their fate. 

Scarcely less remarkable than the collapse of Parrett's was thesteadiness of Welch's in the field. Although they had little to do, they did what there was to do neatly and well, and, unlike many juniorelevens, did it quietly. The junior matches at Willoughby had usuallybeen more famous for noise than cricket, but on this occasion the orderof things was reversed, and Riddell, as he looked on and heard thecompliments from all quarters bestowed on his young heroes, might beexcused if he felt rewarded for all the labour and patience of the pastmonth. 

It offended him not at all to hear this good result attributed generallyto Mr Parrett's instructions. He knew it was true. Mr Parretthimself took care to disclaim any but a small amount of merit in thematter. 

"It's a wonder to me, " said he to Fairbairn, in the hearing of a goodmany seniors, who were wont to treat anything he had to say on athleticmatters as authoritative--"it's a wonder to me how Riddell, who is onlya moderate player himself, has turned out such a first-rate eleven. He's about the best cricket coach we have had, and I have seen severalin my time. He has worked on their enthusiasm without stint, and nextbest to that, he has not so much hammered into them what they ought todo, as he has hammered out of them what they ought not to do. Threefellows out of five never think of that. "

"I'm sure they don't, " said Fairbairn. 

"See how steady they were all the innings, too!" continued Mr Parrett. "Three coaches out of five wouldn't lay that down as the first rule ofcricket; but it is, especially with youngsters. Be steady first, and beexpert next. That's the right order, and Riddell has discovered it. Iwould even back a steady eleven of moderate players against a ricketyeleven of good ones. In fact, a boy can't be a cricketer at all, oranything else, unless he's steady. Now, you see, unless I am mistaken, they will give quite as good an account of themselves at the wickets asthey did on the field. "

And off strolled the honest Mr Parrett, bat in hand, to umpire, leavinghis hearers not a little impressed with the force of his views on thefirst principles of cricket. 

The master's prophecy was correct. The Welchers, notwithstanding thefact that they had only twenty-five runs to get to equal their rivals'first innings, played a steady and careful innings, in which they justtrebled the Parretts' score. The bowling against them was not strongcertainly, but they took no liberties with it. Indeed, both the captainand Mr Parrett had so ruthlessly denounced and snubbed anything like"fancy hitting, " that their batting was inclined to err on the side ofthe over-cautious, and more runs might doubtless have been made by alittle freer swing of the bats. However, the authorities were wellsatisfied. Cusack carried his bat for eighteen, much to his owngratification; and of his companions, Pilbury, Philpot, and Walker eachmade double figures. 

It required all Riddell's authority, in the face of this splendidachievement, to keep his men from jeopardising their second innings inthe field by yielding prematurely to elation. 

"For goodness' sake don't hulloa till you're out of the wood!" he said;"they may catch up on you yet. Seventy-five isn't such a big scoreafter all. If you don't look out you'll muddle your chance away, andthen how small you'll look!"

With such advice to hold them in check, they went out as soberly asbefore to field, and devoted their whole energies to the task ofdisposing of their enemies' wickets for the fewest possible runs. 

And they succeeded quite as well as before. Indeed, the second inningsof the Parretts was a feeble imitation of their first melancholyperformance. Parson, King, and Wakefield were the only three who madeany stand, and even they fared worse than before. All the side couldput together was twenty-one runs, and about this, even, they had greattrouble. 

When it became known that the Welchers had won the match by an inningsand twenty-nine runs, great was the amazement of all Willoughby, andgreater still was the mortification of the unlucky Parretts. No morewas said about the grand concert in which they intended to celebratetheir triumph. They evidently felt they had not much to be proud of, and, consequently, avoiding a public entry into their house, they slunkin quietly, and, shutting out the distant sounds of revelry andrejoicing in the victorious house, mingled their tears over asympathetic pot of tea, to which even Telson was not invited. 

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. 

A CLIMAX TO EVERYTHING. 

Among the few Willoughbites who took no interest at all in the juniors'match was Gilks. 

It was hardly to be wondered at that he, a schoolhouse boy, should notconcern himself much about a contest between the fags of Welch's andParrett's. And yet, if truth were known, it would have been just thesame had the match been the greatest event of the season, for Gilks, from some cause or other, was in no condition to care about anything. 

He wandered about listlessly that afternoon, avoiding the crowded Big, and bending his steps rather to the unfrequented meadows by the river. What he was thinking about as he paced along none of the very few boyswho met him that afternoon could guess, but that it was nothing pleasantwas very evident. 

At the beginning of this very term Gilks had been one of the noisiestand liveliest fellows in Willoughby. Although his principles had neverbeen lofty, his spirits always used to be excellent, and those who knewhim best could scarcely recognise now in the anxious, spiritless monitorthe companion whose shout and laugh had been so familiar only a fewmonths ago. 

Among those who met him this afternoon was Wibberly. Wibberly, likeGilks, felt very little interest in the juniors' match. He was one ofthe small party who yesterday had come in for such a smart snubbing fromBloomfield, and the only way to show his sense of the ingratitude ofsuch treatment, especially towards an old toady like himself, was toprofess no interest in an event which was notoriously interesting theParretts' captain. 

So Wibberly strolled down that afternoon to the river, and naturally metGilks. 

The two were not by any means chums--indeed, they were scarcely to becalled friends. But they had one considerable bond of sympathy in acommon dislike for the schoolhouse, and still more for Riddell. Gilks, as the reader knows, was anything but a loyal schoolhouse man, and eversince he became a monitor had cast in his lot with the rival house. Sothat he was generally considered, and considered himself to be, quite asmuch of a Parrett as a "schoolhouser. "

"So you are not down looking at the little boys?" said Wibberly. 

"No, " said Gilks. 

"Awful rot, " said Wibberly, "making all that fuss about them!"

"Pleases them and doesn't hurt us, " replied Gilks. 

"In my opinion it's all a bit of vanity on the part of Riddell. He'dlike to make every one think he has been coaching his kids, and this isjust a show-off. "

"Well, let him show off; who cares?" growled Gilks. 

"All very well. He ought to be hooted round the school instead offlashing it there in the Big, the hypocritical cad!"

"Well, why don't you go and do it?" said Gilks; "you'd get plenty tojoin you. "

"Would I? No, I wouldn't. Even Bloomfield's taking his part--he'sgammoned him somehow. "

"Well, that doesn't prevent your going and hooting him, does it?" saidGilks, with a sneer. "You've a right to enjoy yourself as well as anyone else. "

"What! have you come round to worship his holiness too?" asked Wibberly, who had at least expected some sympathy from Gilks. 

"Not exactly!" said Gilks, bitterly; "but I've come round to letting thecad alone. What's the good of bothering?"

"And you mean to say you'd let him go on knowing who the fellow is whocut the rudder-lines of our boat, and not make him say who it is?"

"I expect that's all stuff about his knowing at all, " said Gilks. 

"Not it! Between you and me, I fancy he's had a tip from somewhere. "

"He has? Bah! don't you believe it. He'd like to make believe he knowsall about it. It would pay, you know. "

"But every one thinks he knows. "

"Not he! He would have told the fellow's name long ago. Whateverobject would he have in keeping it back?"

"Oh! I don't know. He says some gammon about not being quite sure. But he's had time enough to be sure by now. "

Gilks walked on in silence for a little, and then inquired, "And supposeyou did get to know who it was, what would be the use?"

"The use!" exclaimed Wibberly, in amazement. "Why, what do you mean?By Jove, I'm sorry for the fellow when he turns up. He'll soon find outthe use of it. "

Gilks said nothing, but walked on evidently out of humour, and Wibberlyhaving nothing better to do accompanied him. 

"By the way, " said the latter, presently, seeing his companion was notdisposed to continue the former conversation, "what's up between you andSilk? Is it true you've had a row?"

Gilks growled out something which sounded very like an oath, andreplied, "Yes. "

"What about?" inquired the inquisitive Wibberly, who seemed to have theknack of hitting upon unwelcome topics. 

"It wouldn't do you any good to know, " growled Gilks. 

"I heard it was some betting row, or something of that sort, " saidWibberly. 

"Eh?--yes--something of that sort, " said Gilks. 

"Well, " said Wibberly, "I never cared much for Silk. He always seemedto know a little too much for me. I wouldn't break my heart if I wereyou. "

"I don't mean to, " said Gilks, but in a tone which belied the words, andeven struck Wibberly by its wretchedness. 

"I say, " said he, "you're awfully down in the mouth these times. What'swrong?"

"What makes you think anything's wrong? I'm all right, I tell you, "said Gilks, half angrily. 

Wibberly was half inclined to say that he would not have thought it ifhe had not been told so, but judging from his companion's looks thatthis little pleasantry would not be appreciated, he forbore and walkedon in silence. 

It was a relief when Wibberly at length discovered that it was time forhim to be going back. Gilks wanted nobody's company, and was glad to beleft alone. 

And yet he would gladly have escaped even from his own company, which tojudge by his miserable looks as he walked on alone was less pleasantthan any. 

He was sorry now he had not gone to watch the juniors, where at least hewould have heard something less hateful than his own thoughts, and seensomething less hateful than the dreary creations of his own troubledimagination. 

"What's the use of keeping it up?" said he, bitterly, to himself. "Idon't care! Things can't be worse than they are. Down in the mouth!He'd be down in the mouth if he were!--the fool! I've a good mind to--And yet I daren't face it. What's the use of trusting to a fellow likeSilk! Bah! how I hate him. He'll betray me as soon as ever it suitshim, and--and--oh, I don't care. Let him!"

Gilks had reached this dismal climax in his reflections, when hesuddenly became aware that the object of his meditations was approachinghim. 

Silk had his own reasons for not joining the throng that was looking onat the juniors' match. It may have been mere lack of interest, or itmay have been a special desire to take this walk. Whichever it was, hispresence now was about as unwelcome an apparition as Gilks could haveencountered, and the smile on the intruder's face showed pretty clearlythat he was aware of the fact. 

"What are you prowling about here for?" said he as he came up, with allthe insolence of a warder addressing a convict. 

"I've a right to walk here if I choose, " replied Gilks, sulkily; "whatare you here for?"

"To find you. I want to speak to you, " replied Silk. 

"I don't want to speak to you, " replied Gilks, moving on. 

"Don't you?" replied Silk, with a sneer. "You'll have to do it whetheryou want or not, my boy. "

There was something about the Welcher which had the effect of cowing hiscompanion, and Gilks, fuming inwardly, and with a face as black asthunder, said, "Well--say what you've got to say, and be done with it. "

Silk laughed. 

"Thank you. I'll take my time, not yours. Which way are you going?"

"No way at all, " said Gilks, standing still. 

"Very well. I'm going this way. Come with me. "

And he began to walk on, Gilks sullenly following. 

"You saw Wyndham the other day?" said Silk. 

"Suppose I did?"

"What did he want?"

"I don't know--some foolery or other. I didn't listen to him. "

"You needn't tell lies. What did he want, I say?"

"How should I know?" retorted Gilks. 

"What did he want? do you hear?" repeated the other. 

"He wanted me to let him blab about something--about Beamish's it was. "

"And did you tell him he might?"

"Yes. I said he might blab about me too for all I cared. And so hemay. I wish to goodness he would. "

"And whatever business had you to tell him he might say a word aboutit?" demanded Silk, angrily. 

"What business? A good deal more business than you've got to ask mequestions. "

"Do you know what he's done?"

"No, I don't; and I don't care. "

"Don't you care?" snarled Silk, fast losing his temper; "that foolery ofyours has spoiled everything. "

"So much the better. _I_ don't care. "

"But _I_ care!" exclaimed Silk, furiously, "and I'll see you care too, you fool!"

"What's happened, then?" asked Gilks. 

"Why, Riddell--"

"For goodness' sake don't start on him!" cried Gilks, viciously; "he'snothing to do with it. "

"Hasn't he? That's all you know, you blockhead! He suspected Wyndhamof that boat-race business. I can't make out how, but he did. And theyoung fool all along thought it was Beamish's he was in a row about. But Riddell wouldn't have known it to this day if you hadn't given theyoung idiot leave to go and blab, and so clear it up. "

"Let him blab. I wish he'd clear up everything, " growled, or rathergroaned, Gilks. 

"Look here!" said Silk, stopping short in his walk and rounding on hisvictim. "I've had quite enough of this, and you'd better shut up. Youknow I could make you sorry for it if I chose. "

Gilks said nothing, but walked on sullenly. 

"And the worse thing about it, " continued Silk, "is that now Wyndham andRiddell are as thick as brothers, and the young toady's sure to tell himeverything. "

"And suppose he does?"

"There's no suppose about it. I don't choose to have it, I tell you. "

"How can you help it?" said Gilks. 

"We must get hold of the young 'un again, " said Silk, "and you'll haveto manage it. "

"Who?--I?" said Gilks, with a bitter laugh. 

"Yes, you. And don't talk so loud, do you hear? You'll have to manageit, and I think I can put you up to a way for getting hold of him. "

"You can spare yourself the trouble, " said Gilks, stopping short andfolding his arms doggedly. "I won't do it. "

"What!" cried Silk, in a passion. 

It was the second time in one week that Silk had been thus defied--eachtime by a boy whom he had imagined to be completely in his power. Wyndham's mutiny had not wholly surprised him, but from Gilks he hadnever expected it. 

"I won't do it, there!" said Gilks, now fairly at bay and determinedenough. 

Silk glared at him for a moment, then laughed scornfully. 

"You won't? You know what you are saying?"

"Yes, I know, " said Gilks. 

"And you know what I shall do?"

"Yes, you'll tell--"

Silk's face fell. He was beginning to discover that once more he hadoverdone his part, and that the ground was taken from under him. But hemade one last effort to recover himself. 

"I say, Gilks, " said he, half coaxing, half warning, "don't be a fool. Don't ruin yourself. I didn't mean to be offensive. You know it's asmuch in your interest as mine. If we can get hold of young Wyndhamagain--"

"If you want him, get him yourself, I'm not going to do it, " once moresaid Gilks, with pale face and clenched teeth. 

Silk's manner changed once more. His face became livid, and his eyesflashed, as he sprang at Gilks, and with a sudden blow, exclaimed, "Takethat, then!"

It was as good as proclaiming that the game was over. As Gilks's guiltyconfidant he had retained to the last some sort of influence; but now, with that blow, the last shred of his superiority had gone, and he stoodthere beaten before ever the fight began. 

Gilks had expected the blow, but had not been prepared for itssuddenness. It struck him full on the cheek, and for a moment staggeredhim--but only for a moment. Wasting no words, he returned itvehemently, and next moment the fight had begun. 

That fight was not the growth of a day or a week. For many weeks it hadbeen getting nearer and nearer, sometimes by rapid strides, sometimes byimperceptible steps; but always getting nearer, until now it hadsuddenly reached its climax; and the cry, "A fight--Gilks and Silk!"spread like wildfire over Willoughby. 

The Welchers, in the heyday of their triumph, heard it above even thechorus of the glorious Bouncer; and hearing it, forsook their revelryand hurried towards it. The Parretts quitted their melancholy teapot, and rushed with one accord to the spot. And ere they reached it Telsonwas there, and many a schoolhouse Limpet, and Game, and Ashley, andWibberly, from Parrett's; and Tucker, and I know not what crowds fromWelch's. And they crowded round, and took sides, and speculated on theresult, and cheered impartially every hit. 

Far be it from me to describe that fight. It was no different fromtwenty other fights that same term, except from the one fact that thecombatants were seniors. No one cared an atom about the quarrels or itsmerits. It was quite enough that it was an even match--that there wasplenty of straight hitting and smart parrying, and that it lasted over aquarter of an hour. 

It was a wonder it lasted so long. Not that the men could not stay, butbecause no monitor with power to stop it appeared on the scene. Indeed, the only monitor present was Gilks himself, and he took no steps to endthe conflict. 

At length, however, while the result was still undecided, a cry of"_Cave_!" was raised. 

"Look out, here's Riddell!" cried some small boy. 

A round was just beginning, and neither combatant evinced any desire todesist on account of the captain's approach. 

Riddell was not alone, Fairbairn was with him, and, being naturallyattracted by the crowd and shouting, they both hurried up in time to seethe end of the round. 

As soon as it was over they pushed their way in among the crowd andentered the ring. 

"Stop the fight!" said Riddell. 

The two combatants glared at him angrily, and Gilks replied, "Who saysso?"

"I say so, " said Riddell, quietly. 

The days were long gone by when the captain issued his orders in anapologetic voice and a diffident manner. He had learned enough duringthis term to discover the value of a little self-confidence, and hadprofited by the discovery. Willoughby was far more docile to an orderthan to a request, and on the present occasion neither Gilks nor Silkseemed disposed to argue the matter. 

They put on their jackets sulkily, and, without further words to oneanother or to the monitors, betook their battered selves to theirseveral quarters. 

Willoughby, perceiving that the matter was at an end, also dispersed andreturned to its several quarters. The Welchers resumed theirinterrupted revel with unabated rejoicing; the melancholy Parrettscalled for more hot water to eke out the consolations of their teapot;the Limpets turned in again to their preparation, and the seniors totheir studies--every one criticising the fight, and wondering how itwould have ended, but scarcely one troubling himself much about itsmerit, and less still about its consequences. 

One of these consequences the principals in the engagement were not longin learning. A message arrived for each, before the evening was over, that they were reported to the doctor, and were to go to his room atnine next morning. 

Silk did not get the message till late, as he had been absent most ofthe evening in Tucker's study, who was an expert at repairing the damageincurred in a pugilistic encounter. 

When about bedtime he returned to his own study and found the captain'snote lying on the table, he broke out into a state of fury which, to saythe least of it, it was well there was no one at hand to witness. 

Late as the hour was, he went at once to Riddell's study. 

Riddell was half-undressed as his visitor entered. "What do you want?"he inquired. 

"I want you! Do you mean to say you've reported me to the doctor?"

"Of course. It was a fight. I'm bound to report it. "

"_Bound_ to report it. You snivelling humbug! Have you sent the nameup yet?"

"Why do you want to know?" said Riddell, who had ceased to be in bodilyfear of Silk for some time past. 

"Because I want to know. Have you sent it up?"

"I have. "

"All right, you'll be sorry for it, " said Silk. 

"I _am_ sorry for it, " replied the captain. 

Silk saw at a glance that the captain was not to be bullied, and changedhis tone. 

"I suppose you know, " said he, "we shall both be expelled?"

"The doctor doesn't usually expel for fighting, " said the captain. 

"Of course not. But you remember getting a note from me a little timeago. "

"From you? No; I never had a note from you. "

"What, not one telling you to go down and see Tom the boat-boy?"

"Was that from you?" exclaimed Riddell, in astonishment. 

"Of course it was. And of course you know now what I mean. "

"I don't. I could discover nothing, " said the captain. 

"You mean to say you don't know who cut the rudder-lines?"

"No; who?"

"Gilks!"

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. 

A TREATY OF PEACE. 

The captain's first impulse on receiving from Silk this astounding pieceof information was to go at once to the schoolhouse and confront Gilkswith his accuser. 

But his second impulse was to doubt the whole story and look upon it asa mere fabrication got up in the vague hope of preventing him fromreporting the fight to the doctor. 

It was absurd to suppose Gilks had cut the rudder-lines. Not that itwas an action of which he would be incapable. On that score theaccusation was likely enough. But then, Riddell remembered, Gilks, though a schoolhouse boy, had all along been a strong partisan of theParretts' boat, and, ever since he had been turned out of his own boat, had made no secret of his hope that Parrett's might win. He had even, if rumours spoke truly, lost money on the race. How was it likely, then, he would do such an absurd thing as cut the rudder-lines of thevery boat he wanted to win, and on whose success he had even made a bet?

It was much more likely that Silk had made this wild charge for the sakeof embarrassing the captain, and leading him to reconsider hisdetermination to report the fight. 

And what followed partly confirmed this idea. 

"You don't want to get both Gilks and me expelled?" said Silk, with ahalf-whine very different from his late bullying tones. 

"The doctor never expels fellows for fighting. "

"But he will when he finds out all this other business, " said Silk. 

"I really can't help that, " said the captain, not quite seeing how thetwo offences were involved one with another. 

"It's bound to come out, " continued Silk, "and Gilks will bring me intoit too. I say, can't you get back the names?"

"Certainly not, " said the captain. 

"You were glad enough to hush it all up when you thought it was youngWyndham had done it, " said Silk. 

The captain winced, and Silk was quick enough to see it. 

"You profess to be fair and honest. Do you call it fair to shelter onefellow because he's your friend, and tell about another because heisn't? Eh, Riddell?"

It was not a bad move on Silk's part. The question thrust home, and hadhe been content to leave the matter there, it might have been some timebefore the captain, with his own scrupulous way of regarding things, would have detected its fallacies. But, not for the first time, Silkoverdid it. 

"Besides, " said he, seeing he had made an impression, and foolishlythinking to follow it up--"besides, young Wyndham's a long way frombeing out of the wood himself yet. Of course I don't want to do it, butI could make it rather awkward for him if I chose. "

The captain fired up scornfully, but Silk did not notice it, andcontinued, "You wouldn't like to see him expelled, would you? If I wereto tell all I know about him, he would be, to a certainty. "

Riddell, on whom these incautious words had acted with a result whollydifferent from what was intended, could scarcely contain himself to talkcoolly as he replied, "Please leave my room. I don't want you here. "Silk looked round in a startled way at the words, and his face changedcolour. 

"What?" he demanded. "Please leave my room, " replied the captain. "Nottill you promise to get back the names. "

"I shall do nothing of the sort. "

"You won't? You know the consequence?" Riddell said nothing. "I shalltell of Wyndham, " said Silk. "Please leave my room, " once more said thecaptain. Silk glared at him, and took a step forward as though he meantto try one last method for extorting the promise. 

But Riddell stood his ground boldly, and the spirit of the bullyfaltered. 

"You'll be sorry for it, " snarled the latter. Riddell said nothing, butwaited patiently for him to go. Seeing that nothing more was to begained, and baffled on all points--even on the point where he made sureof having his enemy, Silk turned on his heel and went, slamming the doorviciously behind him. 

Riddell had rarely felt such a sense of relief as he experienced onbeing thus left to himself. 

The suddenness of Silk's disclosure and the strange way in which it hadbeen followed up had disconcerted him. But now he had time to thinkcalmly over the whole affair. 

And two things seemed pretty clear. One was that, strange as it seemed, there must be something in Silk's story. He could hardly have inventedit and stuck to it in the way he had for no other purpose thanembarrassing the captain; and the pressure he had applied to get Riddellto withdraw the names before the doctor saw them, confirmed this idea. 

The other point made clear was that his duty, at whatever cost, even atthe cost of young Wyndham himself, was to report the fight and make noterms with the offenders. If the result was what Silk threatened, hecould only hope the doctor would deal leniently with the boy. 

One other thing was clear too. He must see both Wyndham and Bloomfieldin the morning. 

With which resolve, and not without a prayer for wisdom better than hisown to act in this crisis, he retired to bed. 

Early next morning, before almost any sign of life showed itself inWilloughby, the captain was up and dressed. 

The magic that so often attends on a night's sleep had done its work onhim, and as he walked across the quadrangle that fresh summer morninghis head was clear and his mind made up. 

The outer door of the schoolhouse was still unopened, and he pacedoutside, as it seemed to him, for half an hour before he could get in. 

He went at once to Wyndham's study, and found that young athletearraying himself in his cricket flannels. 

"Hullo, Riddell!" cried he, as the captain entered; "have you come tosee the practice? We're going to play a scratch match with some of theseniors. You play too, will you?"

The captain did not reply to this invitation, and his serious faceconvinced Wyndham something must be wrong. 

"What's up, I say?" he inquired, looking concerned. 

"Nothing very pleasant, " said Riddell. "You heard of the fight lastnight?"

"Eh? between Silk and Gilks? Yes. I half guessed it would come tothat. They've been quarrelling a lot lately. "

"I reported them, and they are to go to the doctor's after breakfast, "said Riddell. 

"They'll catch it, I expect, " said Wyndham. "Paddy's sure to be down onthem because they're seniors. "

"They expect to catch it. At least, Silk says so. He came to me lastnight and tried to get me to withdraw the names. And when I said Icouldn't be threatened to tell about you, and get you into a row. "

Wyndham's face changed colour. 

"What? I say, do you think he really will?" he exclaimed. 

"I think it's very likely, " said the captain. 

"Of course, you can't withdraw the names?" said the boy. 

"I've no right to do it--no, I can't, " replied the captain. 

"Oh, of course. But I say, what had I better do?" faltered the boy. "Ihoped that bother was all over. "

"I would advise you to go to the doctor before chapel and tell himyourself. "

The boy's face fell. 

"How can I? I promised I wouldn't, and Silk wouldn't let me off when Iasked him. "

"But he is going to tell of you, he says. You had much better let thedoctor hear it from you than from him. "

"If only I could!" exclaimed the boy; "but how can I?"

"I don't want to persuade you to break a promise, " said the captain, "but I'm sorry for it. "

"I suppose I'm sure to get expelled, " said the boy, dismally; "they'resure to make it as bad against me as they can. "

Riddell reflected a little, and then said, "Perhaps it's only a threat, and no more. At any rate, if the doctor is told he is sure to give youa chance of telling him everything, so don't give up hope, old man. "

Poor Wyndham did not look or feel very hopeful certainly as he thoughtover the situation. 

"Thanks for telling me about it, anyhow, " said he. "I say, shall you bethere to hear what they say?"

"I don't know. I don't think so. But if you are sent for let me know, and I'll go with you. "

With this grain of comfort the captain went, leaving Wyndham anythingbut disposed to show up at the cricket practice. Indeed, for a littlewhile he gave up all thought of going out, and it was not till amessenger arrived to tell him he was keeping everybody waiting that hescrewed himself up to the effort and went. 

Riddell meanwhile, with the other half of his mission still to execute, went over to Parrett's. Parson was lounging about at the door, with atowel over his arm, waiting, as any one might have guessed, for Telson. 

"Has Bloomfield gone out?" asked the captain of this youthful hero. 

Parson, who ever since the famous breakfast in Riddell's room had lookedupon the captain with eyes of favour, replied, "No, I don't think so, I'll go and see if you like. "

"Thanks. If he's in, tell him I want to speak to him. "

"All serene. Hold my towel, do you mind? It's Bosher's, and he may tryto collar it if he sees me. And tell Telson I'll be back in a second. "

And off he went, leaving the captain in charge of Bosher's towel. 

He soon returned with a message that Bloomfield was getting up, andwould be out in a minute or two. 

"I say, " said he, after the two had waited impatiently some time, eachfor his own expected schoolfellow, "did you see much of the fight lastnight?"

"No, " said Riddell, "I didn't see it at all. "

"Oh, hard lines. I got there late, as I went to tell Telson. Gilksused his right too much, you know. We both thought so. He keeps noguard to speak of, and-- Hullo! where on earth have you been all thistime?"

This last exclamation was in honour of Telson, who appeared on the sceneat that moment, and with whom the speaker joyfully departed, leavingRiddell only half informed as to the scientific defects in Gilks's styleof boxing. 

In due time Bloomfield appeared, not a little curious to know the objectof this early interview. 

Riddell, too, was embarrassed, for the last time they met they hadparted on anything but cordial terms. However, that had nothing to dowith his duty now. 

"Good-morning, " he said, in reply to Bloomfield's nod. "Do you mindtaking a turn? I want to tell you something. "

Bloomfield obeyed, and that morning any one who looked out might havewitnessed the unusual spectacle of the Willoughby captains walkingtogether round the quadrangle in eager conversation. 

"You heard of the fight?" said Riddell. 

"Yes; what about it?" inquired Bloomfield. 

"I've reported it. And last night Silk came to me and asked me to getback the names. "

"You won't do it, will you?" asked Bloomfield. 

"No. But the reason why Silk wanted it was because he was afraid ofsomething else coming out. He says it was Gilks who cut the rudder-lines. "

"What! Gilks?" exclaimed Bloomfield, standing still in astonishment. "It can't be! Gilks was one of us. He backed our boat all along!"

"That's just what I can't make out, " said the captain; "and I wanted tosee what you think had better be done. "

"Have you asked Gilks?" inquired Bloomfield. 

"No. I thought perhaps the best thing was to wait till they had been upto the doctor. They may let out about it to him, if there's anything init. If they don't, we should see what Gilks says. "

"If it had been your lines that were cut, " said Bloomfield, "I couldhave believed it. He had a spite against all your fellows, andespecially you, since he was kicked out of the boat. But he had bettedover a sovereign on us, I know. "

"I shouldn't have believed it at all, " said Riddell, "if Silk hadn'tsent me an anonymous note a week or two ago. Here it is, by the way. "

Bloomfield read the note. 

"Did you go and see the boat-boy?" he asked. 

"Yes; and all I could get out of him was that some one had got into theboat-house that night, and scrambled out of the window just in time toavoid being seen. But the fellow, whoever he was, dropped a knife, which I managed to get from Tom, and which turned out to be one youngWyndham had lost. "

"Young Wyndham! Then it was true you suspected him?"

"It was true. "

And then the captain told his companion the story of the complication ofmisunderstandings which had led him almost to the point of denouncingthe boy as the culprit; at the end of which Bloomfield said, in a morefriendly tone than he had yet assumed, "It was a shave, certainly. Young Wyndham ought to be grateful to you. He'd have found it not soeasy to clear himself if you'd reported him at once. "

"I dare say it would have been hard, " said Riddell. 

"I'm rather ashamed of myself now for trying to make you do it, " saidBloomfield. 

"Oh, not at all, " said Riddell, dreading as he always did this sort oftalk. "But, I say, what do you think ought to be done?"

"I think we'd better wait, as you say, till they've been to Paddy. Thenif nothing has come out, you ought to see Gilks. "

"I think so, but I wish you'd be there too. As captain of the clubs, you've really more to do with it than I have. "

"You're captain of the school, though, " said Bloomfield, "but I'll bethere too, if you like. "

"Thanks, " said Riddell. 

And the two walked on discussing the situation, and drifting from itinto other topics in so natural a way that it occurred to neither ofthem at the time to wonder how they two, of all boys, should have somuch in common. 

"I shall be awfully glad when it's all cleared up, " said Riddell. 

"So shall I. If it is cleared up the credit of it will belong to you, Isay. "

"Not much credit in getting a fellow expelled, " said Riddell. 

"Anyhow, it was to your credit sticking by young Wyndham as you did. "

"I was going to report him for it, though, the very day the matter wasexplained. "

"Well, all the more credit for making up your mind to an unpleasant dutylike that when you might have shirked it. "

The bell for chapel began to ring at this point. 

"There goes the bell, " said Bloomfield. "I say, how should you like toask me to breakfast with you? I'd ask you to my room, only our fellowswould be so inquisitive. "

Riddell jumped at the hint with the utmost delight, and to all themarvels of that wonderful term was added this other, of the twoWilloughby captains breakfasting _tete-a-tete_, partaking of coffee outof the same pot and toast cut off the same loaf. 

They talked far more than they ate or drank. It was more like the talkof two friends who had just met after a long separation, than of twoschoolfellows who had sat shoulder to shoulder in the same class-roomfor weeks. Bloomfield confided all his troubles, and failures, anddisappointments, and Riddell confessed his mistakes, anddiscouragements, and anxieties. And the Parrett's captain marvelled tothink how he could have gone on all this term without finding out what amuch finer fellow the captain of the school was than himself. AndRiddell reproached himself inwardly for never having made more seriousefforts to secure the friendship of this honest, kind-hearted athlete, and gradually these secret thoughts oozed out in words. 

Bloomfield, as was only natural and only right, took to himself most ofthe blame, although Riddell chivalrously insisted on claiming as much asever he could. And when at last this wonderful meal ended, a revolutionhad taken place in Willoughby which the unsuspecting school, as itbreakfasted elsewhere, little dreamed of. 

"Upon my honour we _have_ been fools, " said Bloomfield: "that is, Ihave. But we'll astonish the fellows soon, I fancy. Do you know I've agood mind to break bounds or have a fight with some one just to make yougive me an impot!"

"As long as you don't do anything which calls for personalchastisement, " said the captain, laughing, "I'll promise to oblige you. "

"I say, " said Bloomfield, as the bell for first school was beginning toring, "I'm glad we--that is I--have come to our senses before oldWyndham comes down. His young brother has persuaded him to come andumpire for the school in the Templeton match. "

Riddell's face became troubled. 

"I hope young Wyndham may be here himself. You know, Silk threatenedthat unless I withdrew the names he would tell the doctor about thataffair of Beamish's and get Wyndham expelled to spite me. "

Bloomfield laughed. 

"Not he. It's all brag, depend on it. But why on earth doesn't theyoung 'un go and make a clean breast to the doctor, before he gets toknow of it any other way?"

"That's just the worst of it. They made him promise he wouldn't say aword about it to any one, and he's such an honest young beggar that eventhough Silk tells of him, he won't tell of Silk. "

"That's awkward, " said Bloomfield, musing. "Did he tell you about it, then?"

"No. His mouth was shut, you see. If I hadn't found out about it fromParson and Telson, who saw the three of them coming out, I shouldn'thave known it till now. "

Bloomfield's face brightened. 

"Then you found it out quite independently?" asked he. 

"To be sure. "

"All right. Then the best thing you can do is to report him for it atonce. "

"What?" exclaimed Riddell, aghast, "report him?"

"Yes. And then you can go to Paddy and tell him all about it, andexplain how he was led into it, and he's sure not to be very down onit. "

"Upon my word, " said Riddell, struck with the idea, "I do believe youare right. It's the very best thing I could do. What a donkey I wasnever to think of it before. "

So it was decided that young Wyndham was forthwith to be reported forhis transgression, and as the time had now arrived when all the schoolbut Gilks and Silk were due in class, the two captains hurried off totheir places, each feeling that he had discovered a friend; and in thatfriend a hope for Willoughby, of which he had scarcely even dreamed tillnow. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. 

A BUSY DAY FOR THE DOCTOR. 

Riddell had not been many minutes in class before a message came fromthe doctor summoning him to the library. 

On his arrival there he found, to his surprise, Silk standing alone inthe middle of the room, while the doctor was quietly writing at histable. 

"Riddell, " said the doctor, as the captain entered, "you reported twoboys to me. Only one is here. "

"I told Gilks he was to be here at nine o'clock, sir, " said the captain. 

"You had better go and see why he is not here. "

Riddell obeyed, and found on inquiry at the schoolhouse that Gilks wason the sick-list, and had obtained leave from the matron to remain inbed till after dinner. 

The captain had his private doubts as to the seriousness of theinvalid's case, especially as, of the two, he was the less damaged inyesterday's fight. However, he had no right to question the matron'sdecision, and returned accordingly to report the matter to the doctor. 

"Humph!" said the doctor, who also evidently considered it a curiouscoincidence that Gilks should be taken unwell the very morning when hispresence was required in the library; "he had better have come. You sayhe is to be up after dinner?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Then let him know he is to come here at four o'clock, and you, Silk, come too at that hour. "

Silk, who had evidently screwed himself up for the present interview, looked disappointed. 

"I should like just to say, sir--" began he, with a glance at Riddell. 

But the doctor interrupted. 

"Not now, Silk. Go to your class now, and come here at four o'clock. "

"But it's not about--"

"Do you hear me, sir?" said the doctor, sternly. 

Silk went. 

The captain was about to follow his example, when it occurred to him hemight not have so favourable an opportunity again that day for acting onBloomfield's advice respecting Wyndham. 

"Can you spare a few minutes, sir?" said he, turning back. 

"Yes, what is it?" said the doctor. 

"It's about young Wyndham, sir. "

"Ah! Nothing wrong, I hope. He has seemed a good deal steadier than hewas, of late. "

"So he is, sir. But this is about something he did some time ago. "

The doctor settled himself judicially in his chair, and waited for thecaptain's report. 

"He got into bad company early in the term, sir, and was tempted downinto the town without leave, and once let himself be taken to Beamish'sAquarium. "

The doctor gave a grunt of displeasure, which sounded rather ominous. 

"How long ago was this?"

"A few days before the boat-race, sir. It has been weighing on his mindever since. "

"Did he tell you of it?" asked the doctor. 

"No, I found it out accidentally. When I spoke to him about it headmitted it and seemed very sorry. "

"And why did he not come to me himself at once?"

"That's just it, sir, " said the captain. "I advised him to do it, andhe told me he had promised the--the companions with whom he went neverto mention the matter to anybody, and this prevented his coming. Heeven went to them, and begged them to let him off the promise so that hemight come and confess to you, but he did not succeed. "

"Did he ask you, then, to come and tell me?"

"No, sir. But he is in constant dread of your hearing about it from anyone else, so that I thought it would be the best thing to tell you of itmyself. "

The doctor nodded his head. 

"He does not know, of course, of your doing this?"

"Oh no, sir. "

"And who were the companions who you say took him to this place?"

Riddell coloured up and felt very uncomfortable. 

"Do you mind me not telling you, sir?" he said. "Wyndham only wantedyou to know about his part in it. I'll tell you if you wish, " added he, "but I'd rather not if you do not mind. "

"You need not do so at present, " said the doctor, greatly to thecaptain's relief, "but you had better send Wyndham to me. "

"Yes, sir, " said Riddell, turning to go, but lingering for one finalword. "I hope, sir--you--that is, if you can--you will take a lenientview of it. Young Wyndham's very steady now. "

"I must see Wyndham before I can decide, " said the doctor, "but you haveacted rightly in the matter--quite rightly. "

The captain went to find Wyndham, hoping for the best, but decidedlyanxious. 

That young gentleman was engaged in the agonies of Euclid when theschool messenger entered, and announced that the doctor wanted to seehim at once. His face fell, and his heart beat fast as he heard thesummons. It needed not much effort to guess what it all meant. Gilksand Silk had of course been up before the doctor, and the latter hadcarried out the threat of which Riddell had told him; and now he wassummoned to hear his fate!

At the schoolhouse door he found Riddell waiting for him. 

"Oh, Riddell, I say!" exclaimed he, in tones of misery, "I've to go tothe doctor at once. Silk has told about me. I say, do come with me. "

"Silk hasn't told about you at all, " said the captain; "I've reportedyou myself. "

"You!" cried Wyndham, in tones of mingled amazement and reproach; "oh, why?"

"Wouldn't you sooner have had me do it than Silk?" asked Riddell. 

The boy saw his meaning at once, and as usual flew from one extreme tothe other. 

"Oh, of course! What a brute I was not to see it. Thanks awfully, oldman. What awful grief I should have come to if it hadn't been for you!"

"I don't know at all what view the doctor takes of the matter, " said thecaptain, gravely; "you had better not expect too much. "

Wyndham groaned. 

"If only I'm not expelled!" said he. "I suppose you can't come too?"

"No. The doctor wants to see you alone, I think. "

"Well, here goes. By the way, of course, you didn't mention the otherfellows' names?" he added. 

The manner in which he said this made Riddell feel doubly glad that thedoctor had not insisted on his telling. 

"No--I didn't, " he said. 

And off went Wyndham, dismally, to the doctor's study. 

It was an anxious morning for the captain. Wyndham had not returnedbefore first school was over, and Riddell felt he could not rest till heknew his fate. 

He told Bloomfield of his morning's proceedings, but even this newfriend's encouragement failed to shake off the suspense that weighedupon him. 

Presently when he could wait patiently no longer, it occurred to himWyndham might possibly have gone back to his study unobserved, and bewaiting there for him. So he went across to the schoolhouse to findout. 

But nearly all the studies in the schoolhouse, Wyndham's included, wereempty, as they almost always were at this hour of the day during summer;and the captain was about to return, more uncomfortable than ever, tothe Big, when a door at the end of the passage opened, and some onecalled his name. 

It was Gilks, who, as he was dressed, had evidently recovered from hisindisposition earlier than was expected. 

He beckoned as the captain looked round; and Riddell, inwardly wonderingwhen his work as a police-officer would cease, and he would be able toretire again into private life, turned and entered his study. 

Gilks shut the door carefully behind him. He had a haggard look abouthim which may have been the result of his ailment, or may have beencaused by mental trouble, but which certainly was not the expression towhich the captain had been used. 

"I'm to go to the doctor at four?" he asked. 

"Yes. He put it off, as you were reported on the sick-list. "

"Of course he thinks I was shamming?"

"I don't know. "

"I was--and I wasn't. I couldn't make out what to do, that was it, so Istayed in bed. Was Silk there?"

"Yes. "

"Did he say anything?"

"No; the doctor told him to come again at four. "

Gilks took one or two uncomfortable turns up and down the room, and thensaid, "I may as well tell you, it's no use keeping it back any longer, for it's sure to come out. I was the fellow who cut the rudder-line. Did you know that?"

"I had heard it. "

"Who told you--Silk?"

"Yes. "

"I thought so. I knew he would. And he'll tell Paddy this afternoon. I don't care if he does. "

"I scarcely believed it when he said so, " said Riddell. 

"Eh? I suppose you thought it was rather too low even for me. So itwould have been once, " he said, bitterly. 

"But you backed the Parrett's boat all along, " said Riddell. "Oh, that. If that's all that puzzled you it's easily explained. Perhaps if youwere doing a thing like that in the dark, expecting to be caught outevery moment, you might make a mistake too. "

"Then you meant to cut _our_ lines?" asked the captain, seeing the wholemystery explained at last. 

"Of course I did; and so I should have done if the rudders hadn't beenshifted, and Parrett's put into the schoolhouse boat. " He took a fewmore turns, and then continued, "You may fancy what a pleasant state ofmind I've been in since. I daresay you'll be glad to hear I've beenmiserable day and night. "

"I'm very sorry for you, " said Riddell, so sympathetically that theunhappy boy started. 

"You wouldn't be if you knew it was all to spite you. I was as bad asSilk in that, though it was his idea about cutting the lines. Theaccident turned out well for us in one way--nobody suspected either ofus. But Silk has led me the life of a dog ever since. I've not knownwhat minute it might all come out. He was always holding it over myhead, and I had to do anything he told me. I can tell you I've thoughtof bolting more than once, or telling Paddy. "

"It must have been a dreadful time for you, " said Riddell. "So it was. But I'm glad it's all over now. I shall be glad to be expelled. I'vebeen ashamed to look any one in the face for weeks. I used to be happyenough before I knew Silk, but I don't expect ever to be happy againnow. "

There was a tremble in his voice as he said this, which went to thecaptain's heart. 

"I hope it's not so bad as that, " said he, quietly. "Everybody herehates me, and they'll hate me all the more now, " said Gilks. "You andyoung Wyndham are the only fellows that have been good to me, and I'vedone both of you nothing but mischief. "

"I think, " said Riddell, "the fellows will soon forgive. They would, Iknow, if they guessed how you have suffered already. "

"You are right. I have suffered, " said Gilks. Another long pausefollowed, during which the minds of both were full. 

The one sensation in the captain's heart was pity. He forgot all aboutthe crime in commiseration of the wretchedness of the criminal. Yet heknew it was useless to hold out any hope of a reprieve, even if that hadbeen to be desired. All he could do was to let the poor fellow know atleast that he was not friendless; and this sign of sympathy Gilksgratefully appreciated. 

"I don't know why you should trouble yourself about me, " he said, aftersome further talk. "You owe me less than anybody. I've been nothingless than a brute to you. "

"Oh, no, " said Riddell; "but, do you know, I think it would be well togo to the doctor at once?"

"I mean to go at once. Do you think he'll let me go off this afternoon, I say? I wouldn't dare to face the fellows. I've got most of my thingspacked up. "

"I expect he would. But you stay till the morning. You can have mystudy. It's quieter than this. "

Perhaps no more hospitable invitation had been issued in Willoughby, andGilks knew it. And it was too welcome not to be accepted gratefully. 

The captain soon afterwards departed, leaving the penitent behind him, subdued and softened, not by any sermon or moral lecture, which at sucha time Riddell felt would be only out of place, but by sheer force ofkindness--that virtue which costs so little, yet achieves so much. 

In this new excitement the captain had for the moment forgotten youngWyndham, but he was soon reminded of that afflicted youth's existence onreaching the Big. 

He was there, waiting impatiently. A glance sufficed to show that atany rate the worst had not happened, but Wyndham's face was such amixture of relief and woe that the captain felt some misgivings as heinquired eagerly what was the news. 

"He was frightfully kind, " said Wyndham, "and talked to me like afather. I never felt so ashamed of myself. I'm certain it's what yousaid made him let me off so easy--that is, so what he means for easy. He said nothing about expelling, even when I couldn't tell him the namesof those two fellows. But he's gated me till the end of the term! Imay only go out for the half-hour after first school, and half an hourafter half-past five. And you know what that means, " he added, with agroan. 

"What?" asked Riddell, too rejoiced that his friend was safe to be over-curious as to the exact consequence of his sentence. 

"Why!" exclaimed Wyndham, "it's all up with the second-eleven!"

It was a blow undoubtedly--perhaps the next hardest blow to expulsion--but so much less hard that not even the boy himself could for longregard it as a crushing infliction. 

He had had his lesson, and after the suspense of the last few weeks hewas ready to expiate his transgression manfully, if sorrowfully. 

"Anyhow, " said he, after pouring out all his disappointment into thecaptain's sympathetic ear, "it's not as bad as being sent off home. Andif it hadn't been for you that's what might have happened. I say, andthink of my brother coming down to umpire, too! What a fool I shalllook! Never mind; it can't be helped. I'm sure to get into the elevennext season. I say, by the way, I've no right to be standing out here. I shall have to go in. "

And so ended the story of young Wyndham's transgressions. 

Riddell had to officiate at yet one more investigation that eventfulday. 

Scarcely had Wyndham disappeared when a message reached him that thedoctor wished to see him again. 

With no doubt this time as to the purport of the summons, he obeyed. 

He found Gilks standing in the doctor's presence, where Silk had stoodan hour or so earlier. 

"Riddell, " said the doctor, whose face was grave, and whose voice wasmore than unusually solemn, "Gilks here has just been making a veryserious statement about an accident that happened early in the term--thebreaking of the line at the boat-race, which he confesses was his doing. I wish you to hear it. "

"Gilks told me of it just before he came to you, sir, " said the captain. 

"I never expected to hear such a confession from a Willoughby boy, " saidthe doctor. "The honour of the whole school has suffered by thisdisgraceful action, and if I were to allow it to pass without theseverest possible punishment I should not be doing my duty. Gilks hasdone the one thing possible to him to show his remorse for what hasoccurred. He has confessed it voluntarily, but I have told him he mustleave the school to-morrow morning. "

Gilks remained where he was, with his eyes on the ground, while thedoctor was speaking, and attempted no plea to mitigate the sentenceagainst him. 

"I find, " continued the doctor, "that if he tells the truth he has notbeen the only, and perhaps not the principal, culprit. He says he didwhat he did at the suggestion of Silk. Perhaps you will send for Silknow, Riddell. "

Riddell went off to discharge the errand. When he returned Gilks lookedup and said, nervously, "Need I stay, sir? I don't want to see Silk. "

The doctor looked at him doubtfully, and replied, "Yes, you must stay. "

A long, uncomfortable pause followed, during which no one spoke orstirred. At length the silence was broken by a knock on the door, andSilk entered. 

He glanced hurriedly round, and seemed to take in the position ofaffairs with moderate readiness, though he was evidently not quite surewhether Gilks or the captain was his accuser. 

The doctor, however, soon made that clear. 

"Silk, " he said, "Gilks accuses you of being a party to the cutting ofthe rudder-links of one of the boats in the race last May. Repeat yourstory, Gilks. "

"He needn't do it, " said Silk, "I've heard it already. "

"He says you suggested it, " said the doctor. 

"That's a lie, " said Silk sullenly; "I never heard of it tillafterwards. "

"You know you did, " said Gilks. "When I was turned out of the boat, andcouldn't baulk the race that way, it was you suggested cutting thelines, and I was glad enough to do it. "

"So you were, " snarled Silk, incautiously--"precious glad. "

"Then you did suggest it?" said the doctor, sharply. 

Silk saw his mistake, and tried to cover it, but his confusion only madethe case against him worse. 

"No, I didn't--he told me about it afterwards--that is, I heard aboutit--I never suggested it. He said he knew how to get at the boats, andI said--"

"Then you did speak about it beforehand?" said the doctor. 

"No--that is--we only said--"

"Silk, " said the doctor, sternly, "you're not speaking the truth. Letme implore you not to make your fault greater by this denial. "

Silk gave in. He knew that his case was hopeless, and that when Gilkshad said all, Riddell could corroborate it with what had been said lastnight. 

"Well--yes, I did know of it, " said he, doggedly. 

"Yes, " said the doctor; "I'm glad at least you do not persist in denyingit. You must quit Willoughby, Silk; I shall telegraph to your fatherthis afternoon. You must be ready to leave by this time to-morrow. "

Silk hesitated for a moment, then with a look round at Riddell, he said, "Before I go, sir, I think you ought to know that Wyndham junior--"

"What about him?" asked the doctor, coldly. 

"He is in the habit, as Riddell here knows, of frequenting low places ofamusement in Shellport. I have not mentioned it before; but now I amleaving, and Riddell is not likely to tell you of it, I think you oughtto know of it, sir. "

"The matter has already been reported, " said the doctor, almostcontemptuously. "You can go, Silk. "

The game was fairly played out at last, and Silk slunk off, followedshortly afterwards by the captain and Gilks. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. 

A TRANSFORMATION SCENE. 

Willoughby little dreamed that night, as it went to bed, of therevolutions and changes of the day which had just passed. 

It knew that Silk and Gilks had been reported for fighting, andnaturally concluded that they had also been punished. It had heard, too, a rumour of young Wyndham's having been "gated" for breakingbounds. 

But beyond that it knew nothing. Nothing of the treaty of peace betweenthe two captains, of the discovery of the boat-race mystery, of thedouble expulsion that was impending. 

And still less did it dream of the unwonted scene which was taking placethat evening in the captain's study. 

Riddell and Gilks sat and talked far into the night. 

I am not going to describe that talk. Let the reader imagine it. 

Let him imagine all that a sympathetic and honest fellow like Riddellcould say to cheer and encourage a broken-down penitent like Gilks. Andlet him imagine all that that forlorn, expelled boy, who had only justdiscovered that he had a friend in Willoughby, would have to say on thislast night at the old school. 

It was a relief to him to unburden his mind, and Riddell encouraged himto do it. He told all the sad history of the failures, and follies, andsins which had reached their catastrophe that day; and the captain, onhis side, in his quiet manly way, strove all he could to infuse somehope for the future, and courage to bear his present punishment. 

Whether he succeeded or not he could hardly tell; but when the eveningended, and the two finally betook themselves to bed in anticipation ofGilks's early start in the morning, it was with a feeling of comfort andrelief on both sides. 

"If only I had known you before!" said Gilks. "I don't know why youshould be so kind to me. And now it's too late to be friends. "

"I hope not, " said Riddell, cheerily. "We needn't stop being friendsbecause you're going away. "

"Needn't we!--will you write to me now and then?" asked Gilks, eagerly. 

"Of course I will, and you must do the same. I'll let you know all thenews here. "

Gilks sighed. 

"I'm afraid the news here won't be very pleasant for me to hear, " saidhe. "What a fury the fellows will be in when they hear about it. Isay, Riddell, if you get a chance tell them how ashamed and miserable Iwas, will you?"

"I will, I promise you, " replied Riddell. 

"And, I say, will you say something to young Wyndham? Tell him how Ihate myself for all the mischief I did to him, and how thankful I am hehad you to keep him straight when I was trying to lead him all wrong. Will you tell him that?"

"I'll try, " said the captain, with a smile, "part of it. But we oughtto be turning in now, or we shall not be up in time. "

"All right, " said Gilks. "Good-night, Riddell. "

"Good-night, old fellow. "

Bloomfield was up early next morning. He had only received the eveningbefore the melancholy notification of the fact that young Wyndham, owingto circumstances over which he had no control, would be unable to playin the second-eleven match next week; and he had it on his mindconsequently to find a successor without delay. 

Probably, on the principle that the early bird gets the worm, hedetermined to be out in good time this morning. But for once in a waythe bird was too early for the worm, and Bloomfield prowled about for agood quarter of an hour before the aspiring youth of Willoughby musteredat the wickets. 

It was during this early prowl, while the hands of the clock werebetween half-past six and seven, that he received something like a shockfrom seeing the captain alight at the school gate from the town omnibus. 

"Why, whatever's up? Where have you been?" inquired Bloomfield. 

"I have just been to see poor Gilks off, " said the captain. 

"What! then it was true?"

"Yes, I hadn't time to tell you yesterday. He's been expelled. "

"The cad!" cried Bloomfield. "It's lucky for him he was able to slinkoff unnoticed. "

"Oh! don't be too down on him, " said the captain. "You'd have beensorry for him if you'd have seen how cut up and ashamed he was. Afterall, he was little better than a tool in somebody else's hands. "

"Silk's you mean?" said Bloomfield. "And I suppose he gets off scot-free?"

"No; he is expelled too. He had to confess that he suggested the wholething, and he is to go this morning. "

"That's a comfort! But why on earth did they cut our lines instead ofyours?"

"That was a blunder. Gilks, in his flurry, got hold of the wrongrudder. I really think that's why it wasn't found out long ago. "

"Very likely. But what a nice pair of consciences they must have hadever since! I suppose the doctor will announce that they've beenexpelled?"

"I don't know. But I hope he won't be too hard on Gilks if he does. Inever saw a fellow so broken-down and sorry. He quite broke down justnow at the station as he was starting. "

"Poor fellow!" said Bloomfield. "The fellows won't take the trouble toabuse him much now he's gone. "

At this point two Parrett's juniors came past. They were Lawkins andPringle, two of the noisiest and most impudent of their respectablefraternity. 

Among their innocent amusements, that of hooting the captain had longbeen a favourite, and at the sight of him now, as they concluded, inaltercation with their own hero, they thought they detected amagnificent opening for a little demonstration. 

"Hullo! Booh! Fiddle de Riddell!" cried Pringle, jocosely, from a safedistance. 

"Who cut the rudder-lines? Cheat! Kick him out!" echoed Lawkins. 

The captain, who was accustomed to elegant compliments of this kind fromthe infant lips of Willoughby, took about as much notice of them now ashe usually did. In other words, he took no notice at all. 

But Bloomfield turned wrathfully, and shouted to the two boys, "Comehere, you two!"

"Oh, yes; we'll come to _you_!" cried Lawkins. 

"You're our captain; we'll obey _you_!" said Pringle, with a witheringlook at Riddell. 

"What's that you said just now?" demanded Bloomfield. 

"I only said, `Kick him out!'" said Lawkins, somewhat doubtfully, as henoticed the black looks on the Parrett's captain's face. 

Bloomfield made a grab at the two luckless youths, and shook them verymuch as a big dog shakes her refractory puppies. 

"And what do you mean by it, you young cubs!" demanded he, in a rage. 

"Why, we weren't speaking to _you_, " whined the juniors. 

"No, you weren't; but I'm speaking to you! Take that, for being howlingyoung cads, both of you!" and he knocked their two ill-starred headstogether with a vigour which made the epithet "howling" painfullyaccurate. "Now beg Riddell's pardon at once!" said he. 

They obeyed with most abject eagerness. 

"Mind I don't catch you calling my friends names like that any more, "said Bloomfield. "Riddell's captain here, and if you don't look out foryourselves you'll find yourselves in the wrong box, I can tell you! Andyou can tell the rest of your pack, unless they want a hiding from me, they'd better not cheek the captain!"

So saying, he allowed the two terrified youngsters to depart; which theydid, shaking in their shoes and marvelling inwardly what wonder was tohappen next. 

The morning passed, and before it was over, while all the school wasbusy in class, Silk left Willoughby. His father had arrived by an earlytrain, and after a long interview with the doctor had returned takinghis boy with him. No one saw him before he went, and for none of thosewhom he had wronged and misled did he leave behind any message of regretor contrition. He simply dropped out of Willoughby life, lamented bynone, and missed only by a few who had suffered under his influence andwere now far better without him. 

After morning classes the doctor summoned the school to the great hall, and there briefly announced the changes that had taken place. 

"Two boys, " said he, "are absent to-day--absent because they have leftWilloughby for good. Now that they are gone, I need not dwell on theharm they have done, except to warn any boys present, who may be temptedto follow in their steps, of the disgrace and shame which always followvice and dishonesty. "

There was a great stir and looking round as the doctor reached thispoint. He had not yet announced the names, though most present wereable to guess them. 

"It's not you two, then?" whispered Telson across the bench to whereCusack and Pilbury sat in mutual perplexity. 

"Two things at least are comforting in what has passed, " continued thedoctor. "One is that by the confession of these two boys a veryunpleasant mystery, which affected the honour of the whole school, hasbeen cleared up; I mean, of course, the accident at the boat-race earlyin the term. "

It was then, that! Willoughby bristled up with startled eagerness tohear the rest, and even Telson found no joke ready to hand. 

"The other consolation is that one of the boys, Gilks--"

There was a sudden half-suppressed exclamation as the name wasannounced, which disconcerted the doctor for a moment. 

"Gilks, " pursued he, "expressed deep contrition for what he had done, and wished, when leaving, that the school should know of his shame andsorrow. He left here a softened and, I hope, a changed boy; and I feelsure this appeal to the generosity of his old schoolfellows will securefor him what he most desires--your forgiveness. "

There was a silence, and every face was grave, as the doctor concluded, "I wish I could say as much of his companion, and I fear, leader inwrong--Silk. "

There was another start, but less of surprise than assent this time. For when Gilks had been named as one culprit every one knew the name ofthe other. 

"I have no message for you from him, " said the doctor, with a voice inwhich a faint tremble was discernible; "but on his behalf we may atleast hope that in new scenes, and under more favourable conditions, hemay be able to recover the character he lost here. An event like thiscarries its own lesson. Do not be too ready to blame them, but lettheir example be humbly taken by each one of you as a warning againstthe first approach of temptation, from which none of us is free, andwhich by God's help only can any of us hope ever to resist or overcome. "

The doctor's words did not fail to make a deep impression on thosepresent. There were not a few whose consciences told them that afterall the difference between them and the expelled boys was not verygreat, and it had needed a warning like this to arouse them. 

The rest of the day a subdued atmosphere hung over Willoughby. A goodmany boys thought more than was their wont, and even the noisiest shrunkfrom indulging their high spirits to their customary extent. 

But the chief feeling that day was one of relief. Not that two bad boyshad been expelled, but because the hateful boat-race mystery had beenfinally cleared up, and with it the reproach on the honour of Willoughbyhad been removed. As long as it had hung like a black cloud over theterm, boys had lacked spirit and encouragement to rally for the good ofthe school. House had been divided against house, set against set, captain against captain, and the order and discipline of the school hadgone down to a miserable pitch. 

Against all these opposing influences the new captain, as we have seen, had struggled gallantly, and not wholly without success; but even hisinfluence could not disperse all the suspicions, and heartburnings, andjealousies that centred round that unlucky race. Now, however, theclearing up of that mystery, and, still more, the new alliance, rumoursof which were spreading fast, between the two captains, opened new hopesfor the old school. 

There were not a few who at first treated the rumours of the newalliance with sceptical derision, but they had soon cause to discoverthat it was more than a joke. 

Stutter and Wibberly, two of the sceptics, happened to be caught thatvery afternoon by Bloomfield in the act of "skulking" dinner--that is, of answering to their names at the call-over, and then slipping offunobserved to enjoy a rather more elaborate clandestine meal in theirown study. It was not a very uncommon offence, or perhaps a veryterrible one, but it was an offence which monitors were bound to report. 

"Where are you off to?" demanded Bloomfield, encountering these twodeserters. 

"Oh, it's all right, " said Wibberly, "we've been called over. We'reonly going to Stutter's study. "

"Go back at once, " said Bloomfield, "and go to the captain after six. "

Wibberly laughed. 

"You're joking surely, " said he; "you usen't to mind the extra feeds nowand then. "

"If I shirked my duty once it's no reason I should do it for ever. Goback, do you hear? at once. "

"What, won't you let us go this time?" said Wibberly, quite bewilderedby this unexpected sternness on the part of his old patron. 

"Do you hear what I say?" thundered Bloomfield. "Do you want to belicked into the bargain?"

"Oh, very well, " said Wibberly, with a last fond thought of Stutter'sgood bill of fare. "But, I say, you needn't give us lines, Bloomfield. "

"I've nothing to do with giving you lines. That's the captain'saffair. "

"What do you mean? Do you mean to say you'll report us to Riddell?"

"Of course. He's the captain. "

"Oh, look here!" cried Wibberly, quite convinced now that the rumourswere no joke. "We'll go back, and we'll do lines for you, but forgoodness' sake don't send us up to him. "

"We had no warning, you see, " said Stutter, "that things were changed. "

"Go back, then, " said Bloomfield, "and make up your minds unless youkeep rules you'll get treated just the same as any other rowdies. Iwon't report you this time, but you'd better take care what you do. "

This little incident made a remarkable impression, not only on the twoboys immediately concerned, but on the school generally. For it soongot noised about, and no public proclamation could have made the stateof Bloomfield's mind clearer. 

But a day or two later the last glimmer of doubt was removed by theproceedings which took place in that august assembly, the WilloughbyParliament. 

Honourable members assembled in large numbers, as they always did afterany special school excitement, and even had this inducement beenlacking, the significant sentence, "Resignation of Mr Bloomfield--Election of President, " on the notice-board would have sufficed to packthe house. 

Riddell had implored Bloomfield not to take this step, or at least todefer it to the beginning of the next term. But he might as well havepleaded with a lamp-post. The Parrett's captain was inexorable. 

"No, " said he; "if it was the last day of the term I'd do it. It wouldserve me right if I was kicked round the school for sticking there solong. "

Before the business began Crossfield rose and asked to be allowed to puta question. This was the signal for a general buzz of anticipationwhich was not lessened by the sight of Messrs. Game and Ashley lookingvery uncomfortable where they sat. 

"I should like to ask Mr Game, whom I see present, if he will kindlyreport to the House the proceedings of the last special meeting, whichhe summoned in the interests of the honour of the school. I hope thegentleman will speak out, as we are all anxious to hear him. "

Game blushed up to the roots of his hair, and dug his hands in hispocket, and tried to look as unconcerned as possible at the laughterwhich greeted this innocent question. 

As he made no offer to reply, Crossfield thereupon regaled the Housewith a highly facetious report of that famous meeting, amid muchlaughter and cheers, not a few of which were directed to the heroic"Skyrockets. " This little diversion being at an end, it was suggestedby the Chair that perhaps the matter might now drop, which, greatly tothe relief of the discomfited ex-monitors, it accordingly did, and aftera few other questions the orders of the day were reached. 

"Gentlemen, " said Bloomfield, rising and speaking nervously, butresolutely, "you will see by the notice-paper that I am going to resignthe office of President of the Willoughby Parliament. (No, no. )Gentlemen, there's a proverb which says, `It's never too late to mend. 'That's the principle on which I am doing this now. I've been in thischair under false pretences. (No, no. ) I was elected here under falsepretences. (No, no. ) I was a fool to let myself be elected, and I'mashamed of myself now. Gentlemen, I am _not_ the captain of Willoughby!I never was; and I had no more right to be than any fag present. (Loudcheers from Parson, Telson, Cusack, and others. ) The only thing I cando now, gentlemen, to show how ashamed I am, is to resign. And I doresign. For goodness' sake, gentlemen, let's be done with the follythat's been working the very mischief in Willoughby all this term. Iknow I've been as bad as any one, so I've no right to abuse any one. But we've time to pull ourselves right yet. It wants three clear weeksto the holidays. (Groans from Bosher. ) In three weeks, if we choose, we can make the old school what it was the day old Wyndham left. (Cheers. ) We've had more than folly among us this term. We've had foulplay--thank goodness no one here was concerned in that. We don't wantto kick fellows that are down, but now they've gone our chance ofpulling up is all the better, and we'll do it. (Cheers. ) I said theonly thing I could do to atone for my folly was to resign. No, gentlemen, there is something else I can do, and will do. I proposethat the captain of Willoughby be elected our President! (Cheers. )He's a jolly good fellow, gentlemen--(cheers)--and I can tell you this(and I'm not given to romancing), if it hadn't been for him, gentlemen, there would have been scarcely anything of Willoughby left to pick up. "

Bloomfield, whose spirited address had carried his audience by storm, asonly a genuine, hearty outburst can, sat down amid tremendous cheers. The school had fast been coming round to his way of thinking, but it hadwanted some one to give it utterance. Riddell, in his speech a week ortwo ago, had hit the right nail on the head, and now Bloomfield haddriven it home. 

When presently the applause subsided, young Wyndham was discovered, allexcitement and eagerness, trying to be heard. 

"I want to second that!" he cried, in a voice that positively trembled. "I'm only a Limpet, and I've been in lots of rows, but you none of youknow what a brick he is. Gentlemen, he's worth the lot of us puttogether! I mean it. If you only knew what he's done for me, you'd sayso. I'm in a row now. " ("Hear! hear!" from Cusack. ) "I'm detained allthe rest of the term. (Cheers from Bosher. ) I can't play in thesecond-eleven next week--(loud laughter)--but, gentlemen, I don't care ahang now old Riddell's put where he ought to be, at the head of theschool--(applause)--and I'm proud to be allowed to second it. "

This was no ordinary meeting truly. No sooner was Wyndham done, butTelson leapt on his form, and shouted, --

"On behalf of the kids--(laughter)--I third that. (Laughter. ) I don'tknow what you're grinning at--(laughter)--but, I can tell you, we allmean to back him up. (Loud cheers. ) That's all I've got to say!"

Other speeches followed, equally cordial, from Fairbairn and thecaptain's old schoolhouse friends, and even from some unexpectedquarters where every one supposed the old partisanship still lurked. 

Amid much enthusiasm Riddell was elected President, and duly installedby his old rival. 

Then there were loud calls for "A speech!" from the captain. It waslong before he could sufficiently overcome his nervousness to attemptit, but at last he said--or rather stammered--amidst the enthusiasm ofthe meeting, "I am much obliged, gentlemen. I wish Bloomfield had keptthe post. I'm afraid I sha'n't make a good President. Gentlemen, if wego on as we have begun to-day the captain of Willoughby will havenothing to do. The old school is looking up fast. (Cheers. ) Now weare all pulling one way, I should like to see what can stop us! But Ireally can't make a speech now. If you knew all I feel--but there, Ishall only break down if I try to go on, so I'd better stop. "

And thus Willoughby returned once more to her right mind. 

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. 

WILLOUGHBY HERSELF AGAIN. 

It was the day of the Templeton match, and all Willoughby had once moreturned out into the Big to watch the achievements of its heroes. 

Yet it was not so much the cricket that fellows crowded out to see. Ofcourse, the contest between the second-eleven and Templeton wasmoderately interesting. But it was not of the first importance, andWilloughby might have survived had it been deprived of the pleasure ofwitnessing it. 

But the pleasure of witnessing old Wyndham umpiring for the old schoolin the very Big where his own mighty victories had been achieved, wasquite another matter; and in honour of this event it was that Willoughbyturned out in a body and watched the Templeton match. 

The old captain had not much altered in the few weeks since he had leftWilloughby. His whiskers had not had time to grow, and he even wore thesame flannel jacket he had on at the athletic sports in May. But in theeyes of the boys he might have been no longer a man, but a demi-god, with such awe and reverence did they behold him. 

He had lately scored one hundred and five for the Colts of his county, and had even been selected to play in the eleven against M. C. C. Nextweek. What he might not achieve when he went up to Oxford in the autumnno one could say, but that he would be stroke of the eight and captainof the fifteen, and carry off all the events in the next Universityathletics, no one at the school ventured to doubt for a moment. 

The Templeton boys hardly knew what to make of all this demonstration infavour of their opponents' umpire, and it added considerably to theirnervousness to hear loud cries of "Well umpired, sir!" when any one wasgiven out. 

Parson and Telson, having taken the precaution to send Bosher andLawkins early in the day to keep seats for them on the round bench underthe schoolhouse elms, viewed the match luxuriously, and not a little tothe envy of other juniors, who had to stand or sit on the ground wherethey could. 

"Boshy play, you know, " says Telson, helping himself to monkey-nuts outof Parson's hospitable pocket; "but it's stunning to see the way oldWynd. Gives middle. Any one else would take double the time over it. "

"Right you are! And he's awfully fair too. See the neat way he gaveForbes out leg before, just now!"

"There's another two for Tedbury. We'll cheer him next time. Hullo, Bosher, old man! you needn't be coming here. There's no room; we'refull up. "

"You might let us sit down a bit, " says Bosher; "I kept the seat fromhalf-past ten to twelve for you. "

"Jolly muff not to sit down, then, when you had the chance. Jolly grossconduct of the evil Bosher, eh, Telson?"

"Rather! He's small in the world, but he'd better get out of the light, my boy, or he'll catch it!"

Bosher subsides at this point, and the two friends resume their dividedinterest in the match, and old Wyndham, and the monkey-nuts. 

Presently two familiar forms saunter past, arm-in-arm. 

"There go Riddell and Bloomfield, " says Parson. "Awfully chummy they'vegot, haven't they? Different from what it used to be!"

"So it is, " says Parson. "Not nearly as much chance of a lark. Butperhaps it's no harm; it keeps those Welcher kids quiet. "

"More than it's doing just now! Look at the way young Cusack isbellowing over there! He's as mad on this match as if he was in theeleven. "

"So he expects to be, some day. But they're not going to have it alltheir own way in Welch's again. Our club's going ahead like blazes now, and we've challenged them for a return match the day before break-up. "

"There's Tedbury out, " says Telson. "Twenty runs he's made--not a badscore. We'd better cheer him, I say. "

And the two grandees suit the action to the word, and rejoice the heartof Tedbury as he retires to the tent, by their lusty applause. 

The Willoughbites do not do badly as a whole. A few of them, eitherthrough incompetence or terror at the presence of old Wyndham, fail tobreak their duck's-eggs, but the others among them put together therespectable score of one hundred and five--the identical figures, by theway, which Wyndham scored off his own bat the other day in the Colts'match of his county. 

During the interval there is a general incursion of spectators into theground, and a stampede by the more enthusiastic to the tent where thegreat umpire is known to be "on show" for a short time. 

Amongst others, Parson and Telson incautiously quit their seats, whichare promptly "bagged" by Bosher and Lawkins, who have had their eyes onthem all the morning, and are determined now, at any rate, to take thereward of their patience, and hold them against all comers. 

The crowd in the tent has not a long time wherein to feast its eyes onthe old captain, for Willoughby goes out to field almost at once, andTempleton's innings begins. Whatever may have been the case with theschool, Templeton seems quite unable to perform under the eyes of thegreat "M. C. C. " man, and wicket after wicket falls in rapid succession, until with the miserable total of fifty-one they finally retire for thisinnings. 

"A follow-on, " says Game, who from near the tent is patronisinglylooking on, in company with Ashley, Tipper, and Wibberly. "I supposethey ought to do them in one innings now?"

"Ought to try, " says Tipper. "Some of these kids play fairly well. "

"They get well coached, that's what it is. What with Bloomfield, andFairbairn, and Mr Parrett, they've been drilled, and no mistake. "

"Let's see, " says Wibberly, "there are five Parretts in the eleven, aren't there. "

Ashley laughs. 

"I don't fancy any one thought of counting, " says he. "Perhaps we'dbetter not, or it may turn out as bad for us as in the Rockshire match. "

"After all, " says Tipper, "I'm just as glad those rows are over. We'renone the worse off now. "

"No, I suppose not, " says Game, a little doubtfully; "and Bloomfield andhe are such friends. It's just as well to keep in with the captain. "

"Not very difficult either, " says Ashley. 

"He's friendly enough, and doesn't seem to have any grudge. He told mehe hoped I'd be on the monitors' list again next term. "

"Ah, I'm having a shot at that too, " says Game. "Ah, it is a follow-on, then. There go our fellows to field again. "

Just as the second innings of Templeton is half-over, a melancholyfigure crosses the Big from the school and makes its way to the tent. It is young Wyndham, whose half-hour's liberty has come round at last, and who now has come to witness the achievements of that second-elevenin which, alas! he may not play. 

However, he does not waste his time in growling, but cheers vociferouslyevery piece of good fielding, and his voice becomes an inspiritingfeature of the innings. But you can see, by the way he is constantlylooking at his watch, that his liberty is limited, and that soon, likeCinderella at midnight, he must vanish once more into obscurity. Heknows to half a second how long it takes him to run from the tent to theschoolhouse, and at one minute and twelve seconds to six, whatever he isdoing, he will bolt like mad to his quarters. 

Before, however, his time is half-over the captain joins him. 

"Well, old man, " says the latter, "I wish you were playing. It's hardlines for you. "

"Not a bit--(Well thrown up, Gamble!)--not a bit hard lines, " says theboy. "Lucky for me I'm here at all to see the match. "

"Well, it'll be all right next term, " says the captain. "I say, itwould have done you good to see the cheer your brother got when heturned up. "

"Oh, I heard it, " said the boy. "Fairbairn lets me stick in his study--that window there, that looks right through the gap in the elms, so Ican see most of what's going on--(Now then, sir, pick it up there;fielded indeed!)"

The match is nearly over, and it looks as if Wyndham will be able to seethe end of it. Nine wickets are down for forty-nine, and five runs mustyet be scored to save Templeton from a single-innings defeat. 

The last man begins ominously, for he makes two off his first ball. Willoughby presses round, breathless, to watch the next. It whizzesover the wicket, but does no harm. The next ball--one of Forbes'sshooters--strikes on the batsman's pad. 

"How's that, umpire?" yells every one. 

"Not out!" says old Wyndham. 

The next ball comes--but before it has left the bowler's hand youngWyndham has begun to run. Loud shouts and laughter follow his headlongprogress. 

"Well run, sir; put it on!" scream Parson and Telson. 

"Stop thief!" howl Bosher and his friends. 

"He's gaining, there! Pull yourself together!" cry Cusack and Pilbury. 

Heedless of these familiar cheers--for lately this has been a dailyperformance--Wyndham saves his honour at two seconds to six, theidentical moment when Forbes's last ball sends the Templeton bailsflying high over long-stop's head, and Willoughby is proclaimed winnerof the match by one innings and three runs. 

A jovial party assembles an hour later for "high tea" in the captain'sstudy. 

Fairbairn, Coates, Porter, and Crossfield are there, and Bloomfield andRiddell, and the two Wyndhams, and assuredly a cheerier party never satdown in Willoughby. 

"I never expected to find you a Welcher, " says old Wyndham to thecaptain. 

"No? A fellow's sure to find his level, you see, some day, " repliedRiddell, laughing. 

"Yes, but the thing is, Welch's is coming up to his level, " saysBloomfield, "instead of his going down to Welch's. "

"I should say, " says young Wyndham, blushing a little to hear his ownvoice before this imposing assembly, "all Willoughby's coming up to hislevel!"

"The young 'un's right, though he is a Limpet, " says Crossfield. "I hadmy doubts of old Riddell once, but I've more doubts about myself thanhim now. "

"You know, Wynd. , " says Porter, "we're such a happy family, I shouldn'twonder if I forget before long what house I belong to. "

"I'll see you're reminded of that, my boy, before the house footballmatches next term, " says Fairbairn, laughing. 

"Yes, " says the old captain, "you'll be a poor show if you don't stickup for your own house. "

"Well, I don't know, " says Porter, "we've had such a lot of sticking upfor our own houses this term, that I'm rather sick of it. "

"Sticking up for ourselves, you mean, " says Bloomfield, "that's whereone or two I could name went wrong. "

"It seems to me, " says Coates, "that sticking up for your house, andsticking up for your school, and sticking up for yourself, are none ofthem bad things. "

"But, " says old Wyndham, "unless you put them in the right order theymay do more harm than good. "

"And what do you say the right order is?" asks Crossfield. 

"Why, of course, Willoughby first, your house next, and yourself last. "

"In other words, " says the captain, "if you stick up for Willoughby youcan save yourself any trouble about the other two, for they are bothincluded in the good of the old school. At least, that's my notion!"

And with what better notion could we say good-bye to the WilloughbyCaptains?